From:
Sandra Fox
Date: 2005-03-23 04:14:09 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] PVC Heart condition
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20050323131849.342BA37D40@sitemail.everyone.net>
A PVC is a premature ventricular contraction. There are four chambers to t=
he heart, the upper ones are the atria and the lower are the ventricles. I=
n normal contractions, an electrical impulse travels from an area near the =
top of the right atrium, causes the atria to contract, travels down to the =
connection between the atria and ventricles, then spreads out over the vent=
ricles, causing them to contract. However, as a "backup" in case of conduc=
tion problems, the ventricles have their own electrical system. If part of=
that system fires out of sync, the ventricles will contract too soon, or p=
rematurely. This is a PVC. We all have them from time to time if under st=
ress or if drinking too much coffee. However, the problem is that the PVC =
causes the heart to try to pump blood before it is full and usually does no=
t actually pump blood through the body. One every now and then isn't a pro=
blem, but when there are alot in a short time or a run of them the body isn=
't getting enough blood. There are dangers with frequent PVCs as well, but=
I won't go into them here. The condition does bear watching, but as long =
as it is infrequent it *should* be safe to do surgery. It would be best to=
check with your vet as to your fur kid's individual risk factors before ma=
king your decision.
--- julie_fossa@yahoo.com wrote:
From: julie_fossa@yahoo.com
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Can anyone explain exactly what Pre Ventricular Contraction (PVC) is and wh=
at it means to a ferret that has experienced it? (I believe this is what P=
VC means but I may not have it right.)
Would it be safe for a ferret that has experienced it, to have minor surger=
y to remove an ulcerated mass on their head?