From:
thirsty_bear@msn.com
Date: 2003-04-08 07:53:36 UTC
Subject: need advice from those experienced with cardiomyopathy & asthma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <12157825.1049788416359.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Hi all,
I'm going crazy here and need help. Just a reminder, our vet is German, and though good Miso is only the 5th ferret he has dealt with. So, we are kind of swagging things here. To recap this year so far:
January 2003 - Miso lethargic again, missing beats, racing heartbeat. Took her in, vet thought suffering from digitalis overdose (had been on one drop daily since March 2002). Removed from digitalis, placed on lasix, theophylline, and potassium. He thought we would have to consider Vetmedin next. Follow up two weeks later the seemed ok, did not change meds.
March 31 2003 - One year follow up exam. Xrays, sonogram done. Still missing heart beats. Sonogram values he said were better than last year. Xray showed all organs alright, heart still ballooned, yet slightly smaller than last year. No fluid buildup. Not what the Dr expected after a year of this. He did see white streaks in lungs, indicating asthma or allergies (she has had a cough, better since being on theophylline). Took her off the lasix and potassium, left her on theophylline.
The vet now feels she does not have cardiomyopathy but rather something wrong with the lungs causing the heart arrythmia. She gets one drop of theophylline twice daily now.
Experienced people, What do you think? Asthma, cardiomyopathy, or can ferrets have irregular heartbeats for no reason. We haven't done blood tests, I'm lucky to have talked him into doing the sonogram. Or is there anyone else out there in the Heidelberg area who knows of a more experienced vet?
Thanks to all for reading this. It's frustrating, and I just want to do the best for her.
Tracy