http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922
&messageid=5605&startid=5617
 
Author wrote:
  Quoting :
>>I WAS WONDERING,DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME AT THIS TIME AND
>>APPROXIMATELY HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE LEFT WITH MY LITTLE ONE?  IN OTHER
>>WORDS, I WOULD APPRECIATE AND EXPERIENCES ONE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT
>>HAS BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE.  I HAVE DEALT NUMEROUS TIMES WITH
>>INSULINOMA AND ONCE WITH DIABETES, BUT THIS IS MY FIRST HEART PATIENT.
 
>From a cardiac standpoint it sounds like everything is being done that
>can.  With a human paricardial centesis (removing fluid from around the
>heart) can be done, but the area is alot larger than that in a ferret.
>It's impossible to tell how much time he has left, that depends on how
>quickly the heart enlarges and the muscle weakens to the point it can't
>pump enough blood to relieve the pressure and volume of blood in the
>lungs.  He will become increasingly tired and short of breath.  He may
>also have fluid build up in his legs and body, making him look puffy.
>Just love him and enjoy him for the time you have left together.  He
>could just as easily have a long time left as not.
One thing to add here - ferrets in heart failure tolerate stress very
poorly - even a rise in the ambient temperature of your house/apartment
can be enough to decompensate.  I agree with Sandra in that you are
currently doing about all you can - make the most of the good time that
he has left, and when he seems as if he is not enjoying it any more,
step in and make the right decision.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 4228]