From:
"clfixico"
Date: 2007-01-21 20:43:28 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] More cardiomyopathy questions
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
One of my ferrets was diagnosed yesterday with dilated
cardiomyopathy (on the basis of results from xrays, ultrasound,
blood work). Diagnostics apparently showed enlarged heart, possible
fluid in lungs (I was not given much info on this), blood work
apparently unremarkable.
I have some questions because this vet did not speak with me at
all (techs relayed some of the findings) and I just don't know him
well. I plan to take her in to my other vets next week so they can
hopefully give me more information.
Lilly is of unknown history, we have had her for just a few
months. We guessed her to be about 2-3 years old. Yesterday
afternoon I found her, awake but fairly unresponsive on the floor.
I thought it was perhaps a hypoglycemic episode (although she has
had no previous problems with this) so I put some honey on her gums,
tried to get her to eat. This did not stimulate a response, so I
rushed her to the vet. I have observed nothing wrong with her up to
this point. She has not been coughing, has not been anorexic or
losing weight. She was not cyanotic during the episode yesterday,
and I have not observed labored breathing at any time with her (even
during this episode). She seemed possibly a little painful at the
time, but mainly just limp.
My main question is--is it at all common for ferrets to have
such a serious episode as this with cardiomyopathy and display none
of the main symptoms? She is also not that old. Is there anything
else we could be dealing with here?
They sent me home with lasix, enacard, told me to get digoxin
from my regular vet and her catheter is still in for us to
administer fluids as I am well-experienced in home care (she had
about 20mls last night, but I stopped because I was very concerned
about giving her too much and she appears hydrated and is drinking
on her own). Since she has come home she appears to be feeling ok,
is eating and drinking, poops look ok.
I have read up on cardiomyopathy from several sources and have
read that the prognosis is fairly poor. I want to do all I can to
help my Lilly--it was very upsetting to have her so ill and the vet
not bother to talk with me even after she was treated (she was the
only animal receiving treatment when I was there so I don't think he
was just too busy!). Thank you for any information you can give me.
Christine & Lilly
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