From:
TR1212@AOL.COM
Date: 2010-07-17 11:15:25 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: Heart Block - Pacemaker? Need your help
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Tressie,
All of what you have mentioned has been done, and several procedures
several times. Yes, there is a cardiologist on site who has worked with many
ferrets. He is the one who recommended the meds tried. When the first med
didn't work, possibly the atropine you mentioned, it was something that they
gave him that would give them an indication if the throphylline or other heart
meds might work, the Dr said that their belief was that the typical meds
would not work. I asked that we please try something else before we talked
about anything else so they did. It was Isopoteronol (?). It didn't work
either. The Isopoteronol was tried in a drip and I'm sure for no more than an
hour or two. What I wanted to know was if anyone had experienced giving
heart meds that didn't work at first but over a few days kicked in. Although
the Drs felt that having tried the atropine the other meds wouldn't work, I
was praying someone else would have had an unusual and different
experience. I had another ferret with 3rd degree block who we maintained on meds for
two years and he did great.
Right now, before we go any further they want to do a biopsy of Hobbs lymph
node. Two aspirates have been done, one from the regular Dr., it came back
negative, and they have done one at the U. It came back inconclusive.
I am so worried about all of this and want to do what's best for Hobbs. I
talked with the regular vet yesterday at length, he said he thinks Hobbs is
in the best place possible and that he would follow the U Drs
recommendation. The vet at the U that we're working with is wonderful. I have called her
a thousand times. She has said that of course there's always a risk with
surgery. There will be an anesthesiologist and I don't remember for sure,
but possibly a cardiologist there too.They would take every and all
precautions they could regarding the procedure. I asked the Dr what she would do if
it was her ferret and she said she would do the biopsy. She said it would
be a 15-30 minute procedure.
Other than Hobbs not having the stamina he had a week ago, his attitude is
happy and alert. I have had to help many cross the bridge but unlike Hobbs,
it was very apparent that it was the right time. I'm struggling with this
because Hobbs still has the bright eyes and happy face. The day I took him,
he would still try to run his regular route and play the same, he just
couldn't go as far before he would tire, flatten out, then get up and go
again. He also was breathing heavy when he would lie down.
I'm going to the U today to visit Hobbs.
I can't eat or sleep I'm so anxious about all of this.
Tiffany
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