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. Prevention is imperative. The disease in ferrets resembles the canine form. However, because of the ferret's size, the presence of only one adult worm may be fatal. Heartworm is transmitted by the mosquito.