VTNE Review: Common Diseases in Ferrets

cardiomyopathy

• both dilated and hypertrophic

• dilated form results in an enlarged left ventricle with systolic dysfunction

• hypertrophic form produces a hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall resulting in decreased filling, a diastolic function

clinical signs of cardiomyopathy

• lethargy

• dyspnea

• anorexia

• weight loss

• pale mucous membranes

• tachycardia

• hypothermia

• weakness

• presence or absence of pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion

diagnosis of cardiomyopathy

• physical exam and history

• radiography: enlarged cardiac silhouette

• ultrasound: left ventricular dilation, presence of absence of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (dilated form)

• left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions are decreased, and left atrium may be enlarged (hypertrophic form)

• ECG: presence of absence ventricular premature contractions, atrial premature contractions, atrial or ventricular tachycardias, and atrial fibrillation

treatment of cardiomyopathy

• dilated form:

  • oxygen

  • diuretics

  • nitroglycerin

  • pleurocentesis

• long term therapy:

  • diuretics

  • ACE inhibitors to reduce afterload

  • digoxin

  • low salt diet

  • monitored frequently using radiographs and serum chemistries with digoxin levels

• hypertrophic form

  • oxygen

  • beta blockers or calcium channel blockers

  • diuretics if needed

  • monitored with ECG, serum chemistries, and Echo

valvular heart disease

• common in middle aged to older ferrets, with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation being the most common cause

• systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation can be best heart over the right sternal region of the thorax

• aortic regurgitation or aortic insufficiency may also occur

clinical signs of valvular heart disease

• related to CHF

• lethargy

• weakness

• dyspnea

• weight loss

• pale mucous membranes

diagnosis for valvular heart disease

• presence of murmur

• radiography: presence or absence of pulmonary edema/enlargement of heart

• ECG: presence or absence of atrial arrhythmias

• Echo: thickening of valves with ventricular and atrial enlargement; regurgitation can be identified

• CBC and serum chemistries to identify secondary disease processes such as renal failure

treatment for valvular heart disease

• digoxin

• ACE inhibitors

• diuretics

• oxygen is needed

heartworm disease

• presence of a single heartworm may produce clinical signs

• microfilaria may be found in 50% to 60% of infected ferrets

• prevention should be used in all ferrets

clinical signs of heartworm

• coughing

• lethargy

• weakness

• dyspnea

• presence or absence of pleural effusion and ascites

• hypothermia

• sudden death

diagnosis of heartworm

• radiographs: cardiac enlargement

• presence or absence of pleural effusion, ascites, or both

• Echo: will show linear parasites in the pulmonary artery, right ventricle, right atrium, or all

• heartworm antigen testing

treatment of heartworm

• depends on animal

• symptomatic animal with microfilariae:

  • Ivermectin SQ until clinical signs disappear and no microfilaria are present

  • adulticide therapy: melarsomine in two stage protocol

• diuretic if needed

• strict cage rest for 4 to 6 weeks after therapy to allow the dead and dying worms to be safely reabsorbed by the body