From:
sukie crandall
Date: 2005-04-19 15:55:45 UTC
Subject: some useful heart things
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-id: <f61ab61ef5a2ad7e796bb4e02fa58ec6@optonline.net>
http://www.vetsoftware.com/acvc2002-hess2.htm
Cardiomyopathy compilation from 2002 (so be SURE to read more recent
posts in http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org because advances HAVE been made):
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/cardiomyopathy.txt
A/V Heart Node Block (an unusual heart complication that can arise due
to insulinoma) compilation from 2002 (also something on which there
have been advances so hit the last 3 years in the archives, on this,
too):
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/heartblock.txt
Note that there are links in those two files that need comment:
although there is some useful info in the messy compilation I have in
the miamiferret site it is very old and there have been advances to
consider.
The learning sites of Dr. Heidi Hoefer have moved but she has a
cardiomyopahty write-up. I can't recall their addy offhand and am a
bit pressed for time but there is a useful links site which is part of
http://www.ferretcongress.org (the International Ferret Congress) and
you will find the new site somewhere near the bottom of the pages by
vets.
Searching under:
Benazep or benazepril
gets 23 past messages. Here are a few, and notice that you also can
search on
Lotensin, Fortekor, or on "ACE inhibitor":
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG2494
including:
>Lotensin (benazepril) once a day. We started with
>Enalapril which is in the same general class of drugs,
>but she didn't respond to it as well as we had hoped,
>and she improved a bunch on Lotensin.
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG6095
including:
>She was switched to Lotensin (benazepril), which
>is not approved in dogs (let alone ferrets), but is
>another ACE inhibitor. It worked much better on her.
>I bring it up because it is excreted through the liver
>rather than the kidneys, so it is an option when there
>might be kidney disease would make trying Enacard a
>risky proposition.
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG6108
including:
>Fortekor is the brand name Novartis uses for
>pets and Lotensin is the human brand. It's a second
>generation ACE inhibitor that apparently is excreted
>(in dogs at least) equally by the kidneys and
>hepatobiliary system and can be used when renal
>failure is present.
At least one of the above posts also contains some cardiology
consultation info and so does:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG6472
For lack of time's sake I then skipped a bunch but you SHOULD check
their contents to:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG9338
which has a lot of cool medication info
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG9660
includes:
>I would consider Benazapril in place of amlodipine.
>The former is similar to Enalappril but kinder on the
>kidneys. Also watch that potassium level esp when
>on diuretics. If there is minimal to no improvement I
>would also consider using digoxin, you just need to
> monitor it more carefully. When starting a new drug
>like benazepril start every 48hours then if he does
>okay you can go to every 24 hours. You could use
>both the benazapril and the amlodipine...
Then I skip a bunch more (same statement applies for those who need
this info)
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG11532
has an interesting tidbit on Furosemide
I think that some people just have MISSED the regular mentions of the
FHL Archives location, or haven't realized that the bold print abou
them on the homepage of the FHL's Smartgroups site is an active link to
click on.
Also, I think that some people figure that searching archives is hard,
but the reality is that Pam and Eric have made it an absolute snap on
the archives site. Seriously, anyone who can manage to post to the FHL
also has the ability to easily search the FHL Archives, or to use the
other FHL features (like the Files), so give it a try because adding it
to what replies you get can only help you, your ferret, and a number of
times also your treating vet!