From:
"Heather"
Date: 2007-08-24 17:50:17 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] cardiomyopathy
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Hi
I want to say to start that this is an absolutely fantastic list, I've learned so much, even about ferret related subjects that don't pertain to me at this point in time.
Now my question. To rehash a bit. I have a 7 or 8 yr old ferret (rescue) who has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. He's presently on Furosemide 2mg TID and Vetmedin 1.25, one quarter capsule BID. He was originally put the Furosemide BID but it has recently been increased to TID. When he was first given these meds his quality of life increased by huge amounts, the swelling lessened and he was more active.
He's once again swelling up (lower abdomen mostly but you can also see some swelling in his upper torso as well) Is there anything else that we can do to help him? His respiration is shallow with occasional gurgling (this concerns me) and his heart rate is too rapid to count (nothing we've given him seems to slow this) He's sleeping more (he usually has one good trundle around the house, but seems to spend more and more time in his tent in the living room)
I know he's living on borrowed time but is there anything else we can give him that might ease the fluid build up, thus relieving some of the pressure on his heart? Secondly, and probably just as important. Ferrets are such stoic little creatures, are they in pain with this? He still loves to be held and snuggled. He does roam around the house when the mood strikes him. Is he in pain? I will not keep stuffing him with meds (which he hates) if all I'm doing is prolonging his suffering.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
Ciao
Heather and the furkids
PS I am working with my vet on this but she has limited knowledge about ferrets. She has taken courses to upgrade her knowledge about ferrets but is still very much in learning mode. All the pertinent information that I get through this message will be forwarded to her.
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