Message Number: SG6149 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-09-28 01:18:20 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Chocolate Moose
To: Linda Doran <linda.doran@nasw.org>
cc: Ferret Health List <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0309272117050.63424-100000@login9.isis.unc.edu>

> that if she saw fluid outside the heart, she would want to stick a
> needle in it to analyze it to see what it is.
>
> I don't want to put him through that. Is that considered a necessary
> step?

Linda,

I don't know if this will help, but here's one thought. I'm pretty sure
my vet has mentioned to me before that diuretics like lasix aren't good at
reducing fluid around the heart. So, if he truly does have fluid in that
location, a needle tap might well be needed to remove it in the first
place. Thus, rather than tapping him just to get the sample to analyze,
there would also be true therapeutic reason to do it. If it turns out
that he has fluid around his heart, you can talk to your vet about
sedation, etc, for the procedure.

Best wishes,

-Pam S.