ferret - Articles
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Synonym(s): DCM
Introduction
- Most common acquired cardiac disorder.
- Cause: unknown.
- Signs: lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, weak pulse, pulse deficit, hypothermia, pallor, cyanosis, prolonged capillary refill time, posterior paresis, hepato-/splenomegaly and/or ascites, heart murmur, pulmonary edema.
- Diagnosis: echocardiography, ultrasonography, radiography, blood tests, urinalysis.
- Treatment: oxygen therapy, diuretics.
- Prognosis: limited data to provide an accurate estimation of the prognosis.
Presenting signs
- Lethargy.
- Weakness.
- Weight loss.
- Exercise intolerance.
- Respiratory distress.
Age predisposition
- Most common in middle-aged to older ferrets.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- The exact etiology is not known, ie idiopathic.
- Associations with taurine or carnitine deficiencies, as seen in cats and dogs, have been suggested, but could thus far not be confirmed in ferrets.
- Other causes reported in other animals and humans include pre-existing endocrine disease, intoxications or infectious disease, eg viruses.
- In one ferret, DCM was reported in association with a cryptococcal infection.
- Similar to humans, cats, and dogs, a genetic origin may also be present.
Pathophysiology
- Increased diastolic dimension and systolic dysfunction of the left and/or right ventricles, decreased contractility and diminished cardiac output -> renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) is activated, leads to sodium retention, fluid accumulation and volume overload.
- This results in an eccentric hypertrophy (dilatation) of the ventricle, valvular insufficiency and, once the disease progresses, signs of congestive heart failure, eg pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, ascites.
Epidemiology
- Not common in ferrets.
- When it occurs, it is highly associated with congestive heart failure.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Malakoff R L, Laste N J & Orcutt C J (2012) Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in client-owned ferrets: 95 cases (1994-2009). JAVMA 241 (11), 1484-1489 VetMedResource.
Other sources of information
- Fox J G & Marini R P (2014) Eds. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. 3rd edn. Wiley Blackwell, USA. pp 835.
- Mayer J & Donnelly T M (2013) Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets. Elsevier, USA. pp 752.