From:
Melissa Litwicki
Date: 2001-11-24 11:53:00 UTC
Subject: Polycythemia vera and phlebotomies
Hello all,
I am writing to update (and get some more info in the archives! :) about
my ferret, Puff, her current diagnosis of polycythemia vera and
treatment for that condition.
Her visit to the vet for an annual checkup came back with results of a PCV
of 72% and a RBC of 15k. All other values were completely normal. Two
weeks later, another test provided results of a PCV of 75% and a RBC of
16k. We scheduled a phlebotomy for a week (or two, can't remember) after
that in order to draw a significant amount of blood for a first phlebotomy
treatment. Puff is putting on her winter weight and was then at 1000g; the
vet planned to draw 5cc's of blood. However, she had considerable trouble
drawing blood from Puff; multiple attempts using veins in the neck were
only partially successful, as the veins collapsed both times, and she only
received about 3cc's of blood. We scheduled another visit for a
phlebotomy attempt for two weeks later (today) so that she could try and
use a catheter to draw blood. Her first attempt this time was successful
- 5cc's of blood under a light anaesthetic took about 20 minutes. Puff is
still putting on weight, so is heavier than 1000g currently; she recovered
very quickly and is currently doing splendidly. A blood test run 'just to
see' came back with the PCV currently still at 75%; we will test again in
two weeks to try and determine the necessary treatment frequency.
*If* p.vera is the condition that Puff has, I have every hope she will
respond well to treatment. Her overall health seems good; her only
observable symptoms have been a bit of sluggishness as of late. That
itself was not enough to schedule a vet appt, but enough to request a full
blood panel during her annual exam.
I will send an update in two weeks. My sincere thanks go out to Lynne Troy
and Dr. Ruth Heller for their information and assistance!
Melissa