Use of a GnRH agonist implant as alternative for surgical neutering in pet ferrets.
In the current study, the duration of effectiveness, owner satisfaction and side effects of a gonadotrophin releasing hormone-agonist (deslorelin) implant were investigated during a two-year follow-up study in which 61 male and 69 female entire pet ferrets were given a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant as alternative to surgical neutering. In 27 participating non-oestrous jills, a double-blind placebo controlled study was performed to investigate whether a single low dose of medroxyprogesterone (2 mg orally) four days preceding placement of the implant could prevent oestrus induction. The duration of effectiveness of the implant ranged from 301 days to over 1339 days (mean 1012±38 days), with no sex difference present. Over 90 per cent of owners were pleased with the effects of the implant. Minor local side effects were noted in less than 20 per cent of ferrets, which all resolved within a week without treatment. Oestrus was induced in 77 per cent of jills receiving medroxyprogesterone and 50 per cent of jills receiving the placebo, indicating that administration of a low-dose progestogen cannot prevent postimplant oestrus. Based on the minimum duration of effectiveness, it is advised to place a new implant on a yearly basis to guarantee continuous gonadal suppression, although biannual replacement may be sufficient in the majority of ferrets.
Division of Zoological Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Y R A
YR
van Zeeland
Dierenartsenpraktijk De Crob, E.T. Zoelensestraat 56b, 4013 CS Kapel-Avezaath, The Netherlands.
M
M
Pabon
De Frettenkliniek, Kalmoesplein 10, 5643 LM Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
J
J
Roest
Division of Zoological Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
N J
NJ
Schoemaker
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration / Q000662:veterinary; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000819:agonists*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004343:Drug Implants; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; C066438:deslorelin