From:
meesh meesh
Date: 2001-10-17 11:41:00 UTC
Subject: Questions: Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (and Coombs
test)
Hi all,
Long time no talk..busy busy busy :) but fun :)
...right now I'm Cardiology - my fav! and we have
*the* premiere Cardiology clinician, Dr. Bonagura - he
is amazing :).
Anwyay, the reason I'm writing is to ask if anyone
has heard of ferrets getting Immune-Mediated Hemolytic
Anemia, aka. IMHA or IHA. If you have, or have had
experience personally, I"d like to know details.
Also, there don't appear to be any values for ferrets
for Coombs tests. Anyone have any experience with
interpreting Coombs results for ferrets?
The reason I"m asking these questions is because of
Mighty Mouse's current situation...brief recap on her
recent history first -, 5-6 weeks ago had a bout of
peracute suppurative hepatitis (confirmed with
histopath/bx.), acute pulmonary edema (has AI but
never been clinical), and an exacerbation of her renal
disease. She is doing great now. Her renal values
have stabilized (azotemia present but no increase,and
phosphorus and potassium are normal again), her
pulmonary edema is gone and she's been off lasix for 2
weeks, and she eats well and plays well. (and her
liver values are all normal again - as of 2 weeks ago
- blood tests)
When she had the hepatitis, her PCV dropped from
low 30s (chronic anemia of disease -probably her
kidney - one kidney) to 20. When the hepatitis
resolved, it went up to 27. Yesterday, PCV was 23,
bilirubin = 1.0 !! (was 0.5 when she had hepatitis and
bilirubinuria - normally- and we have lots of bw on
her - she has been .1 - .2 - and 2 weeks ago jumped to
.5 again), AND she had major ecchymoses (bruising)
from mild restraint where she was scruffed yesterday.
We are going to recheck her urine for bilirubin, and
if positive, reultrasound her (for effusion,
cholestasis,etc.), but the anemia, high bilirubin, and
bruising is making me think about IHA (IMHA). The
vets are reticent to run a coombs test because there
are no normals.
Any thoughts from anyone would be gladly welcomed
:).
Hugs and ferret kisses from
Michaela Maurice & MIghty Mouse
College of Veterinary Medicine
Ohio State University
Class of 2002
(and yes, MM is in school too lol..without her I'd not
have learned half of what I know hehe )
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