From:
daneedv
Date: 2002-04-10 12:39:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Please help ferret with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Russell Prater <russellprater@w...>
wrote:
> Ferrets have a disease that can result in autoimmune hemolytic
anemia.
> It is called Aleutian Disease. Go to
> http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/adv.html#test for info on ADV,
> (aleutian disease virus).
>
Russ - I think you are confused on this one. Autoimmune hemolytic
anemia is very different from ADV.
ADV can cause reduced kidney function, which can result in anemia
(low red cell count), but mostly ADV casues an over production of the
gammaglobulins in the blood.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia hapens when the body starts destroying
the red cells. In larger animals, like dogs and humans, it can
usually be successfully treated if it is caught early enough. In
ferrets, it is very hard to treat. I lost a 2 year old jill to AIHA
about 3 years ago. From the onset of symptoms to death took only 4
days.
Treatment for AHIA usually consists of steriods (like pred) to stop
the immune response, and then transfusions. Based on what my vet
told me, transfusing blood before the auto immune response is stopped
can make the situation worse, though.
In the past 3 years my vet has had 7 cases of AIHA, and has written a
paper on the subject. Unfortunately, he has not submitted it for
publication, yet. Of the 7 cases, only one susvived.
Danee