From:
"Meryl Faulkner"
Date: 2009-08-05 23:08:10 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: High grade second degree AV block & pacemaker
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Tressie,
I can't remember what the veterinarian said the cause might have been of Evelin's heart problem(ie just an arrhythmia, AV block). Evelin was a "found" ferret in October 2005 estimated 3yo. On October 25 2007 she developed bradycardia during the process of being anesthetized for exploratory surgery for removal of adrenal tumors and or pancreatic tumors (see FHL 2970) . I don't think the ultrasound specialist the clinic now uses was available in 2005,and I don't remember my veterinarian suggesting a cardiologist check her - but maybe there isn't one locally that looks at ferrets.
Anyway,she was put on Enacard 1mg tabs (Enalapril) and also Furosemide (Lasix)- a diuretic. forget doses - not sure if it was a whole or half tab of Enacard. She also got Lupron for hair loss/adrenal issues and pred and diazoxide for low blood glucose.
She did well until July 7 2008 and died on July 14. She died relatively suddenly - got less active during the last few days, and one morning was comatose. Tried feeding her very dilute baby food with a little glucose - thought it was insulinoma, she took a breath and died in my arms.
Interestingly the necropsy showed the left adrenal absent, and the right very small. She must have had prior adrenal surgery. I only thought about that fact today.Do any of the veterinarians on this list think its correct in assuming that lupron does not minimize adrenal glands?? I thought it just blocked the signals. Anyway, Evelin got a good 8 months on her meds and only started to look lethargic a few days before she collapsed. The final diagnosis was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The comment was "acute congestion in the lungs and liver indicates abrupt cessation of circulation as would occur with a sudden arrhythmia resulting in death"
Hope this is helpful with the decision making.In 2005 I don't think pacemakers were small enough for us to give it a try.
Meryl
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