http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/1048

Well there is some good and some not so good advice here.

First, cardiomopathy is a common problem in our ferrets - I have lost
two to this dread disease over the years. Your vet has identified one
of the three drugs that are used in cardiomyopathy - benzapril (or
similar preload reducing drugs.) However, there are two others that
form the backbone of treatment for this disease - Lasix, a diuretic,
and digitoxin, which is used in later stages to help strengthen the
heart muscle's contraction.

Did your vet take a chest X-ray? There is no way to say what percentage
of a ferret's lungs are scar tissue; even with a biopsy of the lung,
if it occurs, it is usually patchy. A more common cause of wheezing
is fluid in the lung, which would show up on an X-ray, and could
(hopefully) be removed or lessened by the lasix. Fluid is far more
common in these cases than scar tissue.

Regarding a low-sodium diet, I have never heard of this in ferrets -
humans yes, ferrets no. Also regarding the restriction of exercise -
the key is reducing stress - ferrets with failing hearts are not
athletes - they regulate their own exercise. However adding stress
will shorten the lifetime and worsen response to therapy. Removing
him from his brother and sister is a stressful move that is probably
contraindicated. He may want to play, but he will only do what he can
and no more. Another key is making sure that he doesn't get too cold
or hot, or too hungry - these types of environmental stresses are far
worse than a little exercise.

Remember that we cannot repair a heart - but by using the proper drugs
at the appropriate times, we can slow the progress of the disease and
lengthen the animal's survival time.

With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM


brought to the FML by FHL co-moderator,
Sukie (not a vet)
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[Posted in FML 5502]