From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2001-11-17 22:26:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Bloodwork
> I was wondering where I might be able to find information about
> bloodwork levels, and what they should be. I don't really know a
> great deal about that type of thing, but it would be useful to have as
> a reference, and I would like to learn more about a ferrets internal
> workings. :-)
Jen,
I wish there was one nice, neat place to go for us lay folks to read this
kind of thing... It would tell you what the abbreviations mean, what the
blood test generally means, where ferrets are different, etc... I haven't
found the perfect site yet. Probably because it takes so much knowledge
that builds on itself to understand how a ferret works. LOL. It may be
in a book out there, though. I have a book for veterinary technicians
that comes closer than anything, but it's specifically for dogs and cats.
And as we know, ferrets are a little different.
OK, that said, though, there are a few websites that you can kinda use to
pull together some background info...
For generally what values on a CBC/chem screen mean in dogs/cats, check
out:
http://home.gci.net/~divs/disease/lab_tests.html
I usually like http://www.peteducation.com a great deal for this sort of
thing, but it's down for me right now... Hopefully it'll be back later.
Now, the Ferret FAQ also has a section that may be good, and it also has
some general info:
http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part5.html#med_numbers
Lastly, *please* read Dr. Williams' paper at this address:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/Clin_Path/ClinPath.html
It goes into fascinating details on where ferrets are different than dogs
and cats and some of the common mistakes that vets can make before they
have a lot of ferret experience. This one can literally be a lifesaver!
Pay particular attention to the section on liver values and also on
lymphocytes and dianosing lymphoma... This paper is really written more
for a vet's level of understanding, but it's also a great one to get
familiar with so your ears will perk when those results are coming at ya
on one of your own ferrets. :)
Happy reading,
-Pam S.