From:
Lisa Sanchez
Date: 2001-04-04 20:26:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: Two sick ferrets -- one urgent
question
Hi, Dr. Williams, et al:
Tigger's blood work results are as follows:
ALT (SGPT) 378
AST (SGOT) 126
CK 476
AMYLASE 35
LIPASE 1930
ALBUMIN 2.8
TOTAL PROTEIN 9.1
GLOBULIN 6.3
TOTAL BILIRBIN 0.3
DIRECT BIBLRUBIN 0.1
BUN 21
CREATININE 0.3
CHOLESTEROL 231
GLUCOSE 70
CALCIUM 9.1
PHOSPHOROUS 4.9
TCO2 (BICARBONATE) 7
A/G RATIO 0.4
B/C RATIO 70.0
INDIRECT BILIRUBIN 0.2
CBC COMPREHENSIVE:
WBC 2.8
RBC 14.40
HGB 24.2
HCT 69.5
MCV 48
MCH 16.8
MCHC 34.7
NEUTROPHIL SEG 67
LYMPHOCYTES 19
MONOCYTES 12
EOSINOPHIL 1
BASOPHIL 1
PLATELETS ADEQUATE
ABSOLUTE NEUTROPHIL SEG 1876
ABOLUTE LYMPHOCYTE 532
ABSOLUTE MONOCYTE 336
ABSOLUTE EOSINOPHIL 28
ABSOLUTE BASOPHIL 28
The diagnosis and comments on Tigger's ultrasound are
as follows:
DIAGOSIS:
1) Splenomegaly
2) Nodular region within the pancreas of unknown
etiology.
COMMENTS:
The enlargement to the spleen is not uncommon to see
in the ferret; however, the prominent lymph node and
discrete area within the right pancreas are
concerning. I understand the patient's glucose level
is normal. I would closely monitor this patient for
potential signs of hypoglycemia. A baseline insulin
level may be helpful, but will be diifcult to
interpret if the concurrent glucose level is normal.
A splenic aspirate is recommended due to the irregular
boarders and prominent lymph node. The area within
the pancreas may be an incidental finding. Normal
echocardiogram.
In view of this information, do you have any thoughts
on what Tigger may have? He is really doing so well
now, but, of course, we wonder what is happening
inside of him. Do you think there is any concern for
ADV? What about hypoglycemia? Should he be on pred?
Thanks again.
Lisa
--- "Bruce Williams, DVM" <williams@e...>
wrote:
> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., lchez1965@y...
> wrote:
> >
> > In a nutshell, about two and a half months ago,
> Tigger, one of our
> > four years olds, began to lose weight, became
> lethargic, had
> > diarrhea, and would not eat. We had him x-rayed
> and ultrasounded
> as
> > well as had numerous blood workups done. However,
> nothing was
> > conclusive. His protein level was very high.
> Also, there is a
> mass
> > of some sort on his pancreas but no one could give
> a definitive
> > diagnosis. ADV was discussed, but we did not have
> the blood work
> > done to test for it. He currently seems better,
> but refuses to eat
> > anything but gruel (duck soup) and this only by
> hand. Any
> > suggestions on how to ween him from the hand
> feeding and get him
> back
> > on his regular food?
>
>
> First off - can you tell us what the protein level
> was, and what the
> albumin was in this patient. Without knowing what
> the protein level
> was (high is usually not good enough - a definite
> value is better and
> the whole blood profile is best), it is difficult to
> say what may be
> causing it.
>
> It can be difficult to wean ferrets from
> supplements, and rarely,
> some won't ever do it. Ferrets are easily spoiled,
> and they really
> love the attention. I usually start by grinding
> kibble into a powder
> in a coffee grinder, and slowly add more and more to
> the mix.
> Evntually, I will add small chips and progressively
> larger pieces to
> the gruel - what a feeling it is when you hear the
> first crunch!
>
> Hand feeding during all this is still required.
> Don't ever try to go
> cold turkey - ferrets will literally starve
> themselves if they have
> been accustomed to eating a certain way.
>
>
> Oops - Mom and baby's coming home. More later.
>
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
> Join the Ferret Health List at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list
>
>
>
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