From:
williamsb@comcast.net
Date: 2002-07-05 14:36:46 UTC
Subject: RE: Bleeding ferrets
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4649544.1025879806543.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> Anyone who can help, I am a Veterinarian in Reading, PA. Last week I had
> to euthanize three older (6 Years) ferrets who all succumbed to apparent
> bleeding disorders at the same time. One had subcutaneoous hemmorhages
> everywhere, one also had many bruises, was jaundiced and anemic, from apparent
> RBC loss or destruction, the third was bleeding profusely from her Gi tract.
> All had been in good health except the tiniest female who had obvious
> adrenal problems.
Dear Jill:
I can't say that I have heard of any disease with this presentation. You may want to exclude the third, as what you are seeing here is typical for any ferret in shock - the intestine is the shock organ, with blood pooling and eventual diapedesis into the lumen. A ferret with abundant blood in the GI tract is generally one in shock.
The second one sounds very much like a hemolytic crisis - bloodwork might have helped here, with a bilirubin and and a hemoglobin to document intravascular hemolysis.
Not sure if the adrenal problems of the timy one had anything to do with any bleeding, but a few cases of adrenal disease may have suppression of the bone marrow.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM