From:
rumtum99@sympatico.ca
Date: 2001-06-19 07:12:00 UTC
Subject: 4 month old ferret with heart problem
I have posted a couple of times about my ferret Mikey without a
response, but maybe that was just as well as I was focusing on a
bladder infection which now seems to be the least of Mikey's worries.
I also was confused about which of his heart rates was the one which
was the problem.
When the infection was discovered 2 weeks ago my vet was hoping that
was why Mikey's heart did not sound right (his tonsils and spleen
were also enlarged at the time, but have since come down. He also
had a lowgrade fever). A culture was sent and the infction proved to
be sensitive to clavamox. Last week my vet listened to his heart one
time measured it at 240 (which if I understand is normal for a
ferret) then again at 170.
Yesterday he was playing with my cats and dog, I was not surprised
that he was tired, but how he exhibited it. He propped himself up on
one arm in the middle of the floor with his sides heaving. Off we
went to the vet again. His heart was 150. An EKG and x-rays were
taken. Mikey is scheduled for an ultrasound on wednesday.
My questions are:
1. How serious is a slow heart rate?
2. Is there a chance that he might outgrow this?
3. What might cause this or would it be a