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]