Transvenous Heartworm Extraction in a Ferret With Caval Syndrome

A 10-month-old ferret was diagnosed with heartworm disease and caval syndrome. Associated clinical signs included weakness and a green-colored urine, identified as biliverdinuria. Despite the animal's small size, removal of three heartworms via transvenous heartworm extraction was successfully performed. Although at least one female worm remained in the right ventricle, the majority of clinical signs related to the presence of the heartworms resolved. The ferret was subsequently managed medically with corticosteroids and monthly heartworm prevention. This case documents the presence of biliverdinuria associated with caval syndrome and successful transvenous heartworm extraction in a ferret. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2010;46:31-35.