This is always a difficult situation, and it often depends on the numbers
of worms in the heart.  The presence of worms interferes with the function
of the valves in the heart, and precipitates heart failure - the more
worms, the faster the process.
 
But treatment of the adults in the heart is not without risk itself - up
to 50% of ferrets may die as a result of an inability to keep them quiet
after you kill the adult worms.
 
The path that you are taking will prevent additional worms from developing
and your other ferrets from getting heartworms via mosquitoes who have fed
on this particular ferret, but you may run into problems if the number of
heartworms is significant.  Ultrasound may help in the hands of an
experienced vet in enumerating how many worms are in the heart.
 
This is not a situation in which I or any vet other than the one who has
all the information (your vet) can assist you in making this difficult
decision.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
 
Join the Ferret Health List at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list
 
[Sukie reminder: people can join the FHL at the address above.  Expect some
follow-up mails which need to have blank replies for automatically getting
digests rather than single mails.  The mails may also be read on-list
without joining, but a person must join to receive posting privileges.
The FHL also includes extensive files on health matters, and the search
engine is wonderful and easy to use.  In the future there will be scheduled
discussions with specialists.
 
The cross-posts presented here are a public service.
 
Normally, replies through the FML are not passed along, but an exception
was made when two wonderful people recently helped with translations to
aid an FHL member in Italy.  That kindness is very appreciated.]
[Posted in FML issue 3420]