From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2007-03-04 02:51:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Adrenal and Cardiomyopathy
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Kathleen,
I am surprised that this "heart supplement" was
the only thing used to treat your 2 ferrets with
dilated cardiomyopathy. Lets look at those ingredients
to understand the logic behind their use.
1) Taurine is an amino acid. A deficiency in taurine can
cause dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. In cats when you
supplement with taurine, the cat improves rapidly and in
2-4 months the heart is back to normal. It was originally
speculated that taurine was the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy
in ferrets also, but ferrets just do not improve when
taurine is supplemented. The recommend dose was 250 mg
of taurine per day. It is safe to use taurine, but it usually does
not improve the dilated cardiomyopathy.
2) L-carnitine is a vitamin like nutrient which plays a crucial role in fat
and carbohydrate metabolism. Carnitine deficiency has been associated
with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs (Boxers and Doberman pinchers).
Unfortuantely dogs usually do not improve with carnitine supplementation.
Carnitine is safe to use, but it is expensive and usually does not
improve the cardiomyopathy. The recommended dose for dogs is
150 mg/kg to 250mg/kg per day.
3) Co-Q10 is an antioxidant that seems to help people with atherosclerosis
and heart attacks. Ferrets do not normally have athersclerosis or ischemic
damage like people with heart disease do. Plus there is no evidence that
Co-Q10 helps veterinary patients (ferrets, dogs, or cats). Thus its use is
questionable.
4) Lycopene is a carotenoid and an antioxidant found in red tomatoes.
Lycopene is often recommended for people (males) to help lower
the risk of prostate cancer. It has no role in dilated cardiomyopathy.
It has very questionable use for male ferrets with adrenal gland disease
and secondary prostatic enlargement. In makes no sense to use in
a female ferret because they have no prostate.
5) Saw Palmetto is another product that is used in humans with
prostate problems. It is speculated that saw palmetto prevents
the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is the hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge.
However a study done in dogs with benign prostatic enlargement
showed no improvement with saw palmetto use. Thus its use in
ferrets is also very questionable. If you have a male ferret with adrenal
gland disease and an enlarged prostate then use Propecia (or Proscar).
This is a human medication which prevents the formation of DHT, and
it does work in dogs and ferrets. Again no reason to use this in a
female ferret.
6) Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is sometimes recommended for people
with a history of heart attacks. It helps to decrease blood clots and helps
with vasodilation. Vitamin E is fat soluble vitamin, so you have to be
careful
with supplementation of a good diet to avoid any side effects from too
much vitamin E. Currently vitamin E is only recommended for animals
with liver disorders. (Remember melatonin is also a potent antioxidant,
and it is actually 4 times stronger than vitamin E.)
7) Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. There is research showing omega 3
fish oils to be beneficial in people with heart disease. It helps to prevent
the weight loss that is often associated with heart disease, and it helps
to lower inflammation. However the omega 6 oils increase inflammation
in general, so it makes no sense to use omega 6 oils. Omega 9 oils
are common in canola and sunflower oil. They are low in cholesterol and
have zero trans fats. They are good for cooking, but there is no reason
to use them as a supplement. I would use just the omega-3 fish oil
and leave out the omega 6 and omega 9 oils. Omega 3 fish oils also
help out with kidney disease in older ferrets.
Remember a lot of ferret foods (Totally Ferret, Marshalls, etc.) already
have fish oil in them and in a balanced ratio with the omega 6 oils.
Likewise some of the kitten foods (Iams and Eukanuba) already have
fish oil in them.
I know when there is a bad disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy there
is often a feeling of "I have to do something" to treat the ferret. However
taurine, carnitine, and Co-Q10 are not cures in ferrets. It is recommended
in cats to use the standard therapy with taurine, and the same with dogs
with suspected carnitine or taurine deficiencies. Thus it would be better to
start your ferrets on an ACE inhibitor, diuretic, and a heart contraction
strengthener as the standard therapy and to use taurine, carnitine, omega
3 fish oils and maybe Co-Q10 as the nutritional supplement.
In addition if your male ferret has a prostate problem secondary to the
adrenal gland disease then use Propecia, and melatonin along with
the Lupron depot. Melatonin can also reduce the size of a prostate.
Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion,
Jerry Murray, DVM
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