From:
"Jennifer Blair"
Date: 2002-11-10 19:55:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Proglycem and cardiomyopathy?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <F161xxWn9R6mJB526tr00004115@hotmail.com>
While it may have just been a typo, I wanted to make the correction that
Enacard (enalapril) is not a BRONCHOdilator, but a vasodilator.
Bronchodilators act on the small airways leading to the lungs, while
vasodilators cause dilation of the small blood vessels. Very different
medications and very different actions.
Enalapril is used in cardiomyopathy cases to dilate the peripheral vessels
and essentially decrease the peripheral resistance to blood flow, thereby
decreasing the workload on the heart. Diazoxide (Proglycem) can also exert
a direct vasodilatory effect on the small vessels, decreasing peripheral
resistance as well, though to a much less degree than enalapril.
The only contraindication of using diazoxide in patients with
cardiomyopathies is that it can cause some degree of sodium and water
retention. As long as the cardiomyopathy is appropriately addressed, this
shouldn't be much of an issue. I agree that diazoxide isn't always
beneficial, but certainly worth a try.
If your vet has the ability to measure blood pressure and is comfortable
doing so, you could use this as a monitoring tool.
Good luck! It is always difficult to manage multiple diseases at once, but
occurs all too often with our ferret friends.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Blair, DVM
St Paul MN
jenblair25@hotmail.com
>As far as know from our's Proglycem is safe with cardiomyopathy, but
>in some individuals it is not as effective as in others.
>
>If I recall right from the assorted discussions of Sevie's various
>meds Diazoxide also is a brochiodilator which is one of the things
>that Enacard does. It might have a secondary useful effect, if I am
>right. Might pay to call a pharmacist and ask.
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