From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-03-25 19:55:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Congenital Heart disease in kit
> Not identical, but close.
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That is a relief. Otherwise, I would have worried about her aorta.
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>>What type of congential defect is present?
>** Not sure. I'll have to phone the vet tomorrow and ask.
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If it's only a murmur or a very rapid heart rate then you maybe can
heave a sigh of relief but do know to follow vet advice in case it's
more marked then others have seen; some with those sorts of
problems find the critters living normal lifespans. We've been
there for the second.
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>** It [blood presure] wasn't checked (will be next visit). If it is a
problem, I'm >hoping you'll share some of the recipes Dr. Willard
gave >you that helped yours along.
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Not sure that I have that info anymore. It may in the mish-mash
of cardiomyopathy stuff we tried which is written up at
http://www.miamiferret.org, and if there is reason to worry about
salt intake (which there may well not be) it may be that Tom
Willard at Totally Ferret/Performance Foods can help you out in
designing a diet that incorporates things learned since Ruffle's
special food.
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>>Exercise, large temperature changes, and stress are all
>>things to try to control in a ferret with a serious heart problem.
>** This will definately be a challenge then. She's an extremely
>active, rough-and-tumble kit. She even gives her older sister a
>run for her money. Likes playing it rough pretty much all the
>time. It's either play, or watch her flat ferret from boredom.
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Honestly, then if she were our's I'd let her have the quality of life
that she chooses, and if it means that it is shorter, at least it will
be sweeter. Hopefully, the problem will turn out to be one that is
low-grade enough that it will not make any difference. That is
possible and what I am hoping.
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>>Be sure to let her breeders know.
>** Something else I'm dealing with. Although I realize this is
>strictly a health forum, I would welcome any information from
>people who've brought any types of civil lawsuits against their
>kit's breeder. It's become clear to me that Sneakers' medical
>expenses are going to be costly...
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Actually, I meant from the viewpoint that if they keep medical
records the breeders may want to pull the parents or even the
line (if there have been other problems seen) and neuter them.
If the ferret is from a farm:
if Marshall Farms just contact them directly and provide the info
they ask for and they will help you with costs or may cover the
costs for you.
if a different farm then you will have to contact them and see what
they say.
Obviously, this is not a political site, so anything political and any
legal advice will have to handled PRIVATELY and folks should
not post it here. (This last sentence is with my moderator's hat
on...)
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>** I'm hoping to have the ultrasound done this Thursday.
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Makes sense. Best of luck with that.