From:
A M
Date: 2007-05-02 00:35:21 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Digoxin, Enalapril: Response from cardiac vet
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
This is actually from yesterday. :) I am copying my own e-mail that i sent to Pam Sessoms.
The cardiac vet just called, and I asked him about everything. :) Here's
what he said:
1) The vet is actually involved in clinical trials for Pimobendan with his canine patients, but since it is not officially approved by the FDA, and since it has little data for ferrets, he does not want to try it. He does NOT believe that it is definitely safer for the kidneys; he said in some cases (dogs), there was sudden death and stated that "its safety is still in question." So, he's much more comfortable with Digoxin. He also said that
Pimobendan had shown better results for cardiomyopathy; there are less conclusive results for degenerative valve disease (which is what we're dealing with.)
2) Benazapril vs. Enalapril: Basically, again, it's a matter of his experience and comfort level, as well as inconclusive data regarding effect on kidneys. He is much more experienced in adjusting dosages for Enalapril in general and in ferrets. Although more of it is excreted by the kidneys (theoretically making them work harder), he is more comfortable with it
overall. (Benazapril is 80% excreted by the liver and 20% by the kidneys.) This again is largely an unknown area because research on ferrets is pretty sparse; he does not like to assume ferrets will react the same as cats and dogs.
3) Sub-cu lasix versus oral: He said that if animals tolerate it orally, it's fine. Sub-cu is, of course, easier and faster in acute or emergency situations. He also said something about how sub-cu lasix is better when there are problems with the right side of the heart. Bear's ok on his right side. That's one good thing! he is currently on .2 ml twice a day, but we are "allowed" to up that to .3 as needed (which is often.)
Basically, this vet does lots of research and is a bit skeptical
about a lot of the "drug pushing" that goes on sometimes out there on the internet, even by neutral parties. He wants laypeople to be more careful, I guess. :-) A
very nice guy... knows his stuff... (I like it when vets inadvertently make me feel really stupid! LOL. If I know what they're saying and can play "spot the mistake", that's a bad sign.... i.e. our former vet in Wilmington, NC who referred to Bear's adrenal tumors as Cushings and insulinoma as "diabetes."
ok, that's it for now. :) He said we should expect to see real mprovement in Bear's breathing rate in about 5 days. We are phasing in the Enalapril to give his kidneys (and the rest of his body) time to adjust. As I said earlier, because his kidney values are normal (although on the high end) and because his heart is such a mess, we are focusing on the heart right now.
-andrea
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/