From:
"ldarkes2000"
Date: 2009-04-02 17:05:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Low blood sugar and irregular/low heart rate
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Thanks, Sukie=85 that is exactly what they have diagnosed her with. She ha=
s a complete block (level 3). The cardiologist says that the only real tre=
atment for this would be a pacemaker, but that she isn't the best candidate=
considering her age and the insulinoma and adrenal disease. He also menti=
oned attempting treatment with theophyline, noting that it is not usually b=
eneficial. For now, we are focusing on stabilizing her bg. Any experienc=
e with this medication?
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Sukie Crandall" <sukie@...> wrote:
>
> Consider A/V Heart Node Block. It has a
> tendency to go hand in hand with insulinoma
> Low blood glucose levels are hypothesized
> as a cause or as a worsening factor in other
> species.
>
> The vet can check to see if that is the cause
> of the irregular beat. An EKG (ECG) will tell
> but really bad ones can be told just by listening.=20
> You can read about this in an old compilation in
> the FHL Files section or by using the FHL Archives,
> and even when you read the compilation you should=20
> be sure to use the archives for later info.
>
> Look for posts containing phrases like
>
> "Node Block"
> "Heart Node Block"
> "A/V Node Block"
> etc
>
> The separate FHL Archives are excellent:
> http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
>
> The atria and the ventricles wind up with different
> rhythms and pacing due to damage to the electrical
> node in Node Block.
>
> There are 4 categories of Node Block. Level 1 often
> does not need treatment, and may remain Level 1
> forever or may worsen. Level 2 needs treatment
> and with treatment can be survived for years; it
> may worsen or may remain a Level 2. Level 2
> Sinus is a worse form of Level 2 and always worsens.=20
> How long those ferrets last with treatment depends
> on how rapidly it becomes a Level 3. Level 3 is
> Complete A/V Node Block. With treatment a ferret
> can last months unless there have been major
> medication advances. We had one who had a Level
> 3 (Complete) node block go 9 months with treatment
> along with insulinoma in a portion of the pancreas
> that can not have surgery, and were told that was
> more than normally would have been expected.
>
> So, the vet needs to find out what type and (if
> applicable) what level of rhythm problem exists.
>
> It can help to have a consulting veterinary cardiologist
> who is used to Node Block in ferrets.
>
> We've also seen ventricular arrhythmia with
> dilated cardiomyopathy and that ferret responded
> beautifully to Digoxin. In fact, she went about a
> year and and half with her heart disease, even
> though she was at risk of immediate death at any
> time before the ventricular rhythm could be improved.=20
> She was having a lot of bigeminis and even some
> trigeminis -- very serious condition. For this sort of
> heart problem chest x-ray, EKG, and ultrasound are
> needed.
>
> She also had consulting cardiologists.
>
> Of course, with A/V Node Block an ultrasound
> and sometime x-ray also wind up important in the
> medication protocol design.
>
> Sometimes a seizure can cause a temporary atrial
> arrhythmia in other species so maybe it can in
> ferrets. I don't know if one can cause a temporary
> one.
>
> Sukie (not a vet)
>
> Recommended ferret health links:
> http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
> http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
> http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
> http://www.miamiferret.org/
> http://www.ferretcongress.org/
> http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
> http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
>
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