From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2002-08-27 17:51:05 UTC
Subject: RE: irregular heartbeat
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <24115277.1030470665977.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> I have an old boy who had left adrenal surgery in May. He's regrown his coat. I listened to his heart with my stethescope and it is very irregular and skipping beats. Is there anything that can regulate it or is it just going to be that way? He just lost one cagemate to lymphoma.
> Carol
It is necessary to learn WHY he is having an irregular beat, what type of irregularity it is, and of there is an underlying cause to know the extent of that problem. Those factors will determine if any treatment is needed nad what that treatment will be.
The vet will listen, will judge if it is a potentially problematic type, and then will go from there. There may be an EKG (ECG). Ultrasound or x-ray and ultrasound are not unusual to help undxerstnad how to best approach such situations.
We have had ones who have had a form that is not any danger.
We have also had one who had arrhymia (ventricular bigemini and some trigemini) from cardiomyopathy and for her a combination of meds (with Digoxin being her own particular best help) gave her a very extended period of excellent health before her cardiomyopathy took her.
Right now we have a little girl doing very well for last two months on Aminophylline and Enacard for Complete A/V Heart Node Block. Heart Block is rare, but I have heard of one with a Level 1 who lived a full life, one with a Level 2 who later recovered after a year with it, one with a Level 2 who later became a Level 3 but is still going with meds, and I guess two or three untreated ones who died. I know of only 3 with Level 2 or above who have been treated, but it's such a rare problems that only one of the veterinary cardiologists consulted knew anything about it in ferrets. It is highly unlikely that this will be encountered.
Your best next step is to make a veterinary appointment.