From:
"merylfaulkner"
Date: 2007-11-09 06:23:29 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Urinary problem - could there be a heart problem?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Clarke" <Tonytclarke@...>
wrote:
>
> Suki female 16 mth old spayed (at 8 mths) has shown decreased
> activity levels over the last week or so. Eating normally, excessive
> urination. Slightlly enlarged abdomen, very squishy, good winter
> weight, excellent coat.
Tony,
After recently losing my Nicole, I became very sensitive to
changes in my ferret Evelin, who was approx the same age, and was
showing signs of reduced energy for the last few months. First I
thought it was her age, but she had some hair loss and then a high
estradiol on the adrenal panel. Hence the vet suggested adrenal
surgery and check for insulinoma.
However her heart rate plummeted to 80 when she was anesthetized, and
they immediately unmasked her and tried atropine to increase her rate
- it did not work. It turned out on a radiograph that she had a
somewhat enlarged rounded heart and early heart disease. Hence the
reduced energy. She did not have an enlarged belly,or fluid in her
lungs or a cough, but my veterinarian said that sometimes early stages
of heart disease manifest just as lethargy. and a lowered rate. The
decision was made to start her on Enacard, and she is now much more
active - I was surprised at the improvement. She's on lupron depot for
the hair loss. Her heart rate is now 150, (it was about 120 for a few
days post op) and the vet suggested starting her on lasix (furosemide)
when any fluid build up starts. The vet was also able to hear a murmur
at the recent exam about a week after we started the Enacard.
I don't remember all of Evelin's chemistry, but her blood work (apart
from a high estradiol in the adrenal panel which made us decide on the
surgery) has been pretty normal for the last six months. Turned out
the anesthesia helped diagnose her heart problem ahead of time. You
might have the vet check Suki's heart. and see if her squishy belly is
a sign of fluid retention. I don't know if any blood values can
indicate a heart problem.
Meryl
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