From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-02-25 03:45:07 UTC
Subject: RE: HELP ME WITH HEART MURMUR QUESTION
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2046354.1046144707761.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dear Ryan:
Heart enlargement in a ferret, coupled with profound lethargy and a severe =
murmur is very suggestive of cardiomyopathy - a degenerative disease of the=
heart which may strike at any age.
Heartworms are another, far less common possibility in such cases. Murmurs =
result from turbulence during blood flow and are most often the result of a=
stretched and leaky heart valve. You can also hear them in heartworm dise=
ase, as the presence of the worms disrupt blood flow.
Echocardiography, if available, is a more specific diagnostic test which he=
lps to quantitate the severity of the dilation of the hearts chambers. It =
can also pick up the presence of heartworms, but just to be on the safe sid=
e, if you are in a heartworm endemic area, an occult heartworm test is appr=
opriate as well.
The treatment for cardiomyopathy is medical - a combination of diuretics, v=
asodilators, and digitalis derivatives. Because heart disease cannot be rep=
aired, only its progression slowed - I would attempt to come to a specific =
diagnosis as soon as possible in order to institute the appropriate therapy=
.=
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM =
Author wrote:
> I recently saved a three year old ferret from a pet store where his owner=
had abandoned him. It was the right thing to do because he is great, howev=
er, upon review at a vet we found that he has a heart murmur a level 4.5 on=
a scale of six the vet said. The heart is enlarged. Symptoms other than th=
is include that he has been quite lethargic really only being active for an=
hour maybe two each day. He has free reign of the house but choses to hide=
out and sleep quite a bit. I know that the previous owner had other ferret=
s, my ferret had apparently at one time had three other brothers. Also I kn=
ow the previous owner did not take him to the vet at any point that he had =
him. I am concerned for him, and want to give him the best quality of life.=
What should I have the vet look for, and what are some possible things I c=
an do to help him out. I want only the best for him, and am concerned that =
his quality of life is subpar because he is having health issues. Please re=
spond via email, because I can check from my phone, and I don't have a lot =
of access to a computer in my current home. Any thoughts or suggestions wou=
ld be greatly appreciated. I left a simular Email to a woman from the Heart=
worm society, and she suggested that I speak to a Dr. Williams, if anyone k=
nows how to reach him please let me know. Thanks again, Ryan Galli. Makmek2=
000a@aol.com
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