From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2004-11-20 01:42:09 UTC
Subject: Furosemide Lowering Blood Sugar In Insulinomic Ferret
To: cyprus4211@aol.com, ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-id: <64915C15-3A95-11D9-A3A3-000A95CD182C@mac.com>
Is there a possibility that what is being seen may be more that the
glucose control is going out more at times and throwing off the heart?
I'm not saying that it isn't the Furosemide affecting the blood
glucose, just that this is an option to consider.
Ask the vet is he has A/V Heart Node Block. It is rare complication of
insulinoma.
See:
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/heartblock.txt
A/V Heart Blocks are a rare complication in ferrets that is not yet well
understood in this species.
These blocks happen when the electrical signal that keeps the atria and
the ventricles working in harmony is impaired or lost due to problems
affecting the sinus node in the atria.
There are three Levels of A/V Block and within Level Two there are two
forms, one of which is more dangerous because it often signals a
soon-to-come change to Level 3.
Level 1 is mild enough that each signal gets through but the ventricular
beat is delayed. In Level 2 not all signals get through. A Complete
Heart Block is the same as a Level Three and in this case the
ventricular
beat is reduced to a back-up level which is very slow (bradycardia).
Below a certain point the ventricular rate is not consistent with the
needs for survival. Blood pools, it may back up, and the output of the
heart is low enough that the other organs will starve if it does not
improve.
Managing ferrets with an A/V Block is still very new, including to most
veterinary cardiologists. Like the forms of medication used it is
dependent on the level, the particulars of the individual, how -- or
even
if -- the individual responds to medications appropriate to the level of
the block, and luck.
Ask your vet if meds like Animophylline or other meds designed for A/V
Heart Node Block may be what is needed.
End of ferrethealth Digest
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