Message Number: SG2686 | New FHL Archives Search
From: kgc498@hotmail.com
Date: 2002-12-23 22:10:14 UTC
Subject: sick ferret's bloodwork
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <248738.1040681414510.JavaMail.root@scandium>

I got a 5yr MF female. Her only symtoms is she tires easy, very itching and lost 0.2 pounds (2.2 - 2.0). She is eating and drinking well and bowel movements are fine (fecal-negitive). Bloodwork was done and x-rays were taken. The Vet said the only thing on the x-rays was that liver looked rounded. Here are her blood values (I hope one of the Vets on here will look at this and comment);

glucose 226 mg/dl
urea nitrogen 37 mg/dl
creatine 0.7 mg/dl
ALT(SGPT) 919 U/L
total protein 7.1 g/dl
albumin 3.8 g/dl
globulin 3.3 g/dl
a/g ratio 1.2 ratio
calcium 9.7 mg/dl
phosphorus 6.0 mg/dl
bilirudin 0.2 mg/dl
hemoglobin 16.4 g/dl
hemotocrit 45.6 %
WBC 5.0 10-3/ul
RBC 10.10 10-6/ul
MCV 45
MCH 16.2
MCHC 36.0
platelet count 641 10-3/ul
neutrophils 3400 68%
bands 0
lymphocytes 1050 21%
monocytes 550 11%
eosinophils 0
basophils 0

The vet said the glucose(fasting 6hrs) was high and ALT was very high. She attributed the glucose to stress of coming to a busy office(alot of dogs). The ALT was indicating liver disease and the most common cause of this is cancer.

The vet is refering me to a clinic (3hrs away) that care for alot of ferrets, where they will probably do ultrasound and/or a biopsy.

The question I have; if it is liver disease wouldn't there be other indicators in the bloodwork? Such as; WBC, lymphocytes, eosinophils, bilirubin, or albumin.

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks,
KC