These appear as individual tumors that are slightly raised, flat, button-like masses. Treatment involves surgical removal and biopsy. This in an enlargement of the heart and most frequently affects ferrets over two years old. There are two forms of cardiomyopathy hypertrophic and dilated. Hypertrophic is a thickening of the heart muscle causing a deceased size of the chambers of the heart.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a loss of muscle tone decreasing the strength of the heart muscles.
Therefore, the heart can not pump blood. Signs include a murmur, weight loss, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends upon the type of cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis is obtained by x-ray and ultrasound. There is no means of preventing the disease and prognosis depends on the severity of disease and initial response to treatment.