Several human medicines are currently used to treat adrenal gland disease and to treat the secondary prostate enlargement and estrogen-induced anemia, thrombocytopenia and mammary gland hyperplasia. These medicines work well, but they are expensive.
Leuprolide acetate, such as Lupron depot, is an injectable product that stops LH production, which stops the stimulation to the adrenal glands. Lupron comes in three different versions -- once a month, once every three months and once every four months. The recommended dose is 100 to 500 micrograms per kilogram on a monthly basis.
Finasteride, such as Propecia or Proscar, is a tablet that can be used to treat an enlarged prostate in male adrenal ferrets. This product is an enzyme inhibitor that stops the formation of DHT. DHT is the main hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge. After the DHT level is reduced, the prostate will shrink with time. The suggested dose is 1 milligram once a day for the first 30 days. After the first 30 days, the dose can usually be reduced to just one tenth of a milligram once a day.
Bicalutamide, such as Casodex, is another tablet that can be used to treat an enlarged prostate in male adrenal ferrets. This product blocks the androgen (DHT) receptors on the prostate. After the receptors are blocked, the prostate will shrink with time; however, this product does not actually reduce the DHT levels. The suggested dose is 5 milligrams once a day.
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Melatonin
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Anastrozole, such as Arimidex, is a tablet that can be used to treat estrogen-induced anemia, thrombocytopenia and mammary gland hyperplasia. This product is an enzyme inhibitor that stops the formation of estrogen. After the estrogen level is lowered, the bone marrow can start making red blood cells and platelets again. The suggested dose is one tenth of a milligram per kilogram once a day.
Epoetin alfa, such as Epogen or Procrit, is an injectable product that can be used with Arimidex to treat estrogen-induced anemia. After the estrogen level has been reduced by Arimidex and/or Lupron, Epogen can be used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells again. The suggested dose is 100 to 200 units per kilogram three times a week to start with, then taper off as the packed cell volume normalizes.