From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-08-26 02:57:04 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Cardiomyopathy
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
These may help because it may be time for another med to be added:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL2433
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Monica,
For ferret's with dilated cardiomyopathy a few things
are recommended. An ACE inhibitor such as benazepril
or enalapril (Enacard), a diuretic like furosemide (lasix), and
a medication to increase the strength of the heart contraction
such as Vetmedin (pimobendan) or Digoxin.
As far as doses for ferrets with benazepril a dose of 0.25 mg
to 0.5 mg/kg every other day to once a day.
For furosemide a dose of 1 to 4 mg/kg 2 to 3 times a day.
For Vetmedin a dose of 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg 2 times a day.
It sounds like your little guy is getting too much of the benazepril.
Pawing at the mouth is common with stomach ulcers,
insulinomas and any thing else that causes nausea.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/FHL2306
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello Heather,
The first question is what kind of cardiomyopathy does
your ferret have (dilated or hypertrophic)?
If it is dilated cardimyopathy then there are a few things to try:
1) add enalapril (Enacard) or benazepril
2) increase the furosemide dose to 4 mg/kg tid and/or
3) add another diuretic like spironolactone.
If it is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy then:
1) stop the Vetmedin
2) add atenolol or dilitazem to the furosemide.
No, cardiac problems are not usually painful, but the ferret can
be nauseated and not feel good. Thus quality of life becomes the
important thing.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
This will also help:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/cardiomyopathy.htm
Cardiomyopathy is a **roller coaster** and the ferrets can become
more and more vulnerable to change, so things like stable home
temperatures become important.
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