http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/1418

>I am surprised that this "heart supplement" was the only thing used to
>treat your 2 ferrets with dilated cardiomyopathy. Lets look at those
>ingredients to understand the logic behind their use.
>
>1) Taurine is an amino acid. A deficiency in taurine can cause dilated
>cardiomyopathy in cats. In cats when you supplement with taurine, the
>cat improves rapidly and in 2-4 months the heart is back to normal. It
>was originally speculated that taurine was the cause of dilated
>cardiomyopathy in ferrets also, but ferrets just do not improve when
>taurine is supplemented. The recommend dose was 250 mg of taurine per
>day. It is safe to use taurine, but it usually does not improve the
>dilated cardiomyopathy.
>
>2) L-carnitine is a vitamin like nutrient which plays a crucial role
>in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Carnitine deficiency has been
>associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs (Boxers and Doberman
>pinchers). Unfortuantely dogs usually do not improve with carnitine
>supplementation. Carnitine is safe to use, but it is expensive and
>usually does not improve the cardiomyopathy. The recommended dose for
>dogs is 150 mg/kg to 250mg/kg per day.
>
>3) Co-Q10 is an antioxidant that seems to help people with
>atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Ferrets do not normally have
>athersclerosis or ischemic damage like people with heart disease
>do. Plus there is no evidence that Co-Q10 helps veterinary patients
>(ferrets, dogs, or cats). Thus its use is questionable.
>
>4) Lycopene is a carotenoid and an antioxidant found in red tomatoes.
>Lycopene is often recommended for people (males) to help lower the risk
>of prostate cancer. It has no role in dilated cardiomyopathy. It has
>very questionable use for male ferrets with adrenal gland disease and
>secondary prostatic enlargement. In makes no sense to use in a female
>ferret because they have no prostate.
>
>5) Saw Palmetto is another product that is used in humans with prostate
>problems. It is speculated that saw palmetto prevents the conversion
>of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone that
>causes the prostate to enlarge. However a study done in dogs with
>benign prostatic enlargement showed no improvement with saw palmetto
>use. Thus its use in ferrets is also very questionable. If you have a
>male ferret with adrenal gland disease and an enlarged prostate then
>use Propecia (or Proscar). This is a human medication which prevents
>the formation of DHT, and it does work in dogs and ferrets. Again no
>reason to use this in a female ferret.
>
>6) Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is sometimes recommended for people
>with a history of heart attacks. It helps to decrease blood clots and
>helps with vasodilation. Vitamin E is fat soluble vitamin, so you have
>to be careful with supplementation of a good diet to avoid any side
>effects from too much vitamin E. Currently vitamin E is only
>recommended for animals with liver disorders. (Remember melatonin is
>also a potent antioxidant, and it is actually 4 times stronger than
>vitamin E.)
>
>7) Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. There is research showing omega 3
>fish oils to be beneficial in people with heart disease. It helps to
>prevent the weight loss that is often associated with heart disease,
>and it helps to lower inflammation. However the omega 6 oils increase
>inflammation in general, so it makes no sense to use omega 6 oils.
>Omega 9 oils are common in canola and sunflower oil. They are low in
>cholesterol and have zero trans fats. They are good for cooking, but
>there is no reason to use them as a supplement. I would use just the
>omega-3 fish oil and leave out the omega 6 and omega 9 oils. Omega 3
>fish oils also help out with kidney disease in older ferrets. Remember
>a lot of ferret foods (Totally Ferret, Marshalls, etc.) already have
>fish oil in them and in a balanced ratio with the omega 6 oils.
>Likewise some of the kitten foods (Iams and Eukanuba) already have
>fish oil in them.
>
>I know when there is a bad disease such as dilated cardiomyopathy there
>is often a feeling of "I have to do something" to treat the ferret.
>However taurine, carnitine, and Co-Q10 are not cures in ferrets. It is
>recommended in cats to use the standard therapy with taurine, and the
>same with dogs with suspected carnitine or taurine deficiencies. Thus
>it would be better to start your ferrets on an ACE inhibitor, diuretic,
>and a heart contraction strengthener as the standard therapy and to
>use taurine, carnitine, omega 3 fish oils and maybe Co-Q10 as the
>nutritional supplement. In addition if your male ferret has a prostate
>problem secondary to the adrenal gland disease then use Propecia, and
>melatonin along with the Lupron depot. Melatonin can also reduce the
>size of a prostate.
>
>Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion,
>Jerry Murray, DVM

brought to the FML by FHL co-moderator,
Sukie (not a vet)
Current FHL address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5536]