From:
"Ann"
Date: 2011-01-08 17:47:23 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: How fast do lasix /enacard start working in ferrets with dialated heart failure
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
My ferret, Stitch, had huge amount of fluid in his chest as a result of cardiomyopathy when he was first diagnosed. The doctor tapped his chest and withdrew 80cc of fluid from one side and 10cc from the other. He was immediately able to breath easier. Ask your vet if this is an option to get the fluid off his chest asap and not have to wait for the meds to work. Also it is my understanding that there are two types of cardiomyopathy, one being dialative (sp?), I don't recall the name of the other but it is important to know which because the treatments are different. And it is my understanding tht the only way to diagnose which type is by echocardiogram/ultrasound of the heart.
Also, he was getting enacard every 24 hours.
Good luck with your little one.
Ann
[Ferrets usually are found to have dilative cardiomyopathy
which is also called aplastic. The walls of the chambers
become thin and the heart gets large and flaccid.
A smaller number are found to have hypertrophic but an
accurate number for that is about impossible to know
because many ferrets with that never have it found until
death, but so many never have necropsies. It's among the
things which may be to blame when there are unknown
causes of death. Often it can not be seen without
ultrasound. In hypertrophic the chamber walls get thick
and the space available in the heart reduces greatly.
The ultrasound also helps understand the stage of
cardiomyopathy and its nuances which best helps design
a medication approach around the needs of the individual.
Some ferrets also need an EKG/ECG.
-- Moderator]
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