From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-02-09 22:05:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ADV and CBC results
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Julie Cameron" <Ruesterx1@h...>
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is a question in response to Dr.Williams report of using a CBC
and
> protein levels to further determine if a ferret has Aleutians. I
know what
> the protein levels indicate, but what does the CBC tell you? Are
you just
> looking to see if the ferret is anemic? Just curious. My ferret,
Snoopy, who
> recently passed away from Aleutians had very high protein levels,
but his
> CBC was fairly normal, except for a 41 HCT,which is slightly anemic
and an
> increase in neutrophils. Also, he had very lipemic serum, is that
due to the
> increased globulins?
>
Dear Julie:
Normally, a complete blood count contains the total protein, which is
the most important part when it comes to Aleutian Disease. The blood
chemistry will take it one step further, giving you both a total
protein as well as the albumin. If you subtract the albumin from the
total protein level, you are left essentially with the globulin level.
If you take this one step further, and ask for a breakdown of the
globulins, the gamma fraction represeents the antibodies, and is the
fraction most closely watched in cases of ADV - if it exceeds 20% of
the overall globulin total - that is very characteristic of clinical
Aleutian Disease.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM