Introduction

• HCM is considered rare in ferrets.
• Cause: unknown.
• Signs: weak/irregular pulse, tachycardia, arrhythmias, systolic heart murmur, increased respiratory sounds, moist rales and/or crackles.
• Diagnosis: radiography, echocardiography, electrocardiography, hematology and biochemistry.
• Treatment: beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,
• Prognosis: guarded to poor.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Suggested to occur more commonly in younger ferrets, although predisposing factors are not known due to low incidence of diagnosis; it can be found in geriatric ferrets.
• The etiology is currently unknown.
• In other species (humans, cats) genetic abnormalities have been found, but this has not been studied in ferrets at this time.
• In cats, an association has been found with hyperthyroidism and hypertension, however this has not been linked in ferrets.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes