From:
daniweeztoots
Date: 2002-05-26 22:35:00 UTC
Subject: signs of cardiomyopathy?
I have a female ferret (Tootsie)who is around 5 years old now. For
approximately two years I have noticed that often when she is playing
on her back, she begins to cough alittle or yawn suddenly, as though
she may be experiencing difficulty breathing, or perhaps pressure on
particular vital organs. When this occurs, she seems to feel an
urgent need to upright herself immediately. Otherwise, she seems
perfectly normal, and consistently maintains the speed and energy
level needed to keep her in trouble most of her waking hours. I have
wondered if this could possibly be a sign of cardiomyopathy, but she
does not exhibit other typical symptoms, such as collapsing during
playtime, or difficulty in waking up. She does however, sometimes
pant very audibly when she and my 8 year-old male ferret, Weezle, are
playing chase around the house. Is this normal? Also, she often
sleeps on her back without any apparent discomfort. I wonder why she
would only experience this problem when playing? 17 months ago,
while Toots was being treated for a respiratory infection, the vet
noticed a small "lump" below her rib cage, I believe somewhere just
above her belly, and commented that it might be a tumor, but wasn't
sure just what it was. There's been no decline in Tootsie's overall
health, but I wonder if that area might contain a clue to this odd
behavior. (By the way, where is a ferret's spleen located, and are
any of the symptoms of an enlarged spleen similar to what I've
described?) Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
very much.