From:
ferretsonly@hotmail.com
Date: 2002-11-15 05:05:52 UTC
Subject: RE: Heart disease in a one year old
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <17924912.1037336752354.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Randy,
I'm not a vet but I had one 14 month old ferret with a history of labored breathing even while at rest and coughing. My former vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and was being treated with antibiotics. He was ultimately diagnosed at an emergency clinic when they took x-rays. Unfortunately, he died in my arms just 45 minutes later while they were consulting with a cardiologist.
This has been almost 10 years ago and neither my vet or I even considered cardiomyopathy because of the age of the ferret. I have the necropsy results that I would share with you if you wish.
I had another ferret that was diagnosed with a murmur at age 4 months. She did not require treatment until she was 4 years old and lived to be 7. She was simply on enacard and it worked beautifully. She died of insulinoma.
I've had many other ferrets with cardiomyopathy but none as young as these.
-Carla