Sevie is gently winding down now, but with the addition of injectable
Lasix we are still able to keep her comfortable.  She actually minds
injected meds less than oral ones.  Her lower rate is so slow now that
she sleeps most of the time, though she still walks some and moves around
toys most days.  A few days ago she even got in few bounces but that sort
of exertion did cause her to need a lasix injection later.  She is not in
pain.
 
Until quite recently A/V Heart Node Block was something that had been not
looked for, usually.  It isn't known how much of it not being seen has
been due to its rarity and how much due to not looking for it, but I have
heard of two families in which it was found in more than one ferret once
it was considered as an option, and know of another vet who found a
second case once he brought a ferret through bradicardia (slow beats) and
then had to learn the care options (which are still being developed for
ferrets).  He was prepared to find it because he knew it could happen.
 
One thing that can bring on A/V Hearty Node Block is insulinoma.  For
some reason, which the vets' sites still seem to describe as not well
understood the last time I looked, that condition can cause the atria
and ventricles to lose their communication so that the beat rates are
different.  In cases like Sevie's the rate is so massively different
that the situation is terminal, but what have learned in 2001 and 2002
is that it is possible to greatly extend quality time for the ferrets so
that they do not have to pass as rapidly as they otherwise would.  What
happened that was different in those two recent years is that several
people who adore ferrets: Shelley Knudsen, Pam Sessoms, Meesh Meesh,
and us cared enough to learn more and to do a bit of nudging and
investigating.  Shelley did the lion's share of that work.  She's going
to be one absolutely incredible vet when she gets her vet degree in 2003.
 
BTW, those who run into this problem will find that using vetheart for
consultations is a true win, and is also affordable.
 
If Sevie makes it to the 20th (which i don't think that she will but she
may fool me especially since she has before) she'll have had a Level 3
(Complete; the worst type) A/V Heart Node Block for 6 months and had it
with comfort, joy, and the kind of pampering that very careful nursing
from those who love you does bring.  For ferrets 6 months is about like
getting another 5 years.  If she slips away before then do not be
surprised; be glad for the time she was able to get and all the laughter
she has had since June, know that these complications can occur, and know
that it is not an immediate death sentence if they do if appropriate
medical care is provided.
[Posted in FML issue 3992]