From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-09-06 23:20:35 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Heart Problems
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have heard of two ferrets with pacemakers, both of them large males. I don't know who
performed the surgery on one of them but the other was by Dr. Deborah Kemmerer
Cottrell, and here is how your vet can contact her for consultation:
http://weah4.tripod.com/
We have had two ferrets with dangerous rhythm problems. One had cardiomyopathy with
ventricular bigemini. The most important med in her combo was Digoxin and she went on
to live much, much longer on that than ever expected. The other had Level 3 (Complete)
A/V Heart Node Block and Aminophylline was the most important med for her. She got 9
more months. Others have used Theophylline. Her heart problem began with bradycardia
which is a form of Sick Sinus Syndrome.
http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_disorders/sick_sinus/default.asp
includes:
BEGIN QUOTE
radycardia also can result from abnormalities of the atrioventricular (AV) node, the part of
the heart's conduction system that conducts electrical signals from the atria to the
ventricles. These problems are commonly called heart block.
END QUOTE
A/V Heart Node Block is thought by some veterinary cardiologists to be more common in
pet ferrets than previous thought but to be under-diagnosed.
There may be a connection between insulinoma (or low blood glucose in general) and the
on-set of heart block. I don't know what current data says on that score, but the combo
has been seen in ferrets and other species.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Stephen <sjone9@...> wrote:
>
> Our little girl who is post adrenal surgery, with a history of carcinoma
> now has a heart problem. Sick sinus syndrome. She has bradycardia (slow
> heart rate) and a ferret cardiologist is suggesting she receive a
> pacemaker. Anyone with a similar situation or experience.?
>
> Thanks,
> StephenJ
>
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