I would really appreciate some information on
cardiomyopathy since several ferret owners on the list
including myself have been affected by this disease.
I lost my first ferret to this affliction. Jennifer Brett
is nursing her ferret Nash due to cardio. and Effie Marie's
Loki could also have suffered from this. Several other
people on the list have mentioned it.
     I know cardio. can be due to insufficient nutrition
but is it also genetic or caused by a virus?
     How can we as ferret owners prevent this in our
loved ones besides providing proper nutrition and medical care?
     What are the early warning signs of this disease?
     Hun-Hun, my first ferret who had cardio. first showed that
he was ill when he started gagging and coughing up a sticky
clear substance. He would run around frantically clawing
his mouth to get rid of it. The vet diagnosed pneumonia
but when he showed no improvement I took him to another vet
who said he had cardiomyopathy. He was approx. six years old.
     Now my present ferret Teebone is coughing up a clear
substance. He has no fever and seems in good health. The vet
could detect no problems. Should I put him through some tests
or is this normal behavior for ferrets? I know it is not
due to intestinal blockage.
     Teebone is only one and a half years old. Does cardio.
normally affect young and old alike?
     I guess all ferrets lovers have sometimes wondered why
this wonderful animal has to be so susceptible to cancer and
heart disease.
     I hope you can answer some of my questions. You have
truly been a great help to me and other ferret lovers on this
list. Thank you for your knowledge and the time you have given.
 
                                   Judy and the two masked
                                   wonders, Weezul & Teebone.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0671]