Message Number: YG13146 | New FHL Archives Search
From: dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-05-17 22:15:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Giddeon's Blood & Biopsy Results

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "The Clarks" <hclark@3...> wrote:
> Heartworm panel #3
> Chem 11
> Alk.Phosphatase 147
(H) 14-144
> Marked Icterus observed
> Marked Icterus may result in decreases Creatinine,
Cholesterol,
> Ast and total Protein.
> Alt (SGTP)
117 119
> Albumin 2.3
(L) 3.4-4.8
> Total Protein
5.1 4.3-6.0
> Globulin 2.8
(H) 0.2-2.4
> * Total Biliruben 20.2
(H) 0.0-0.9
> Results varified by repeat analysis
> * Bun 80
(H) 10-45
> Results varified by repeat analysis
> * Creatinine 4.7
(H) 0.4-0.9
> * Glucose 62
(L) 120-144
> A/G Ratio 0.8
> B/C Ratio 17.0
> CBC Basic
> WBC 5.6
> RBC 5.40
(L) 6.7-12.1
> HGB 9.3
(L) 12-18
> * HCT 29.3
(L) 43-55
> MCU 54
> MCH 17.2
> MCHC 31.7
> Neutrophil Seg 66
(H) 31-57
> Lymphocytes
28 22-48
> Monocytes 5
(H) 0-1
> Eosinophil 1
> Platelets Decreased
> Remarks
> Slide revied by Technologist.
> Platelets appear markedly decreased.
> Absolute Neutrophil Seg 3696
> Absolute Lymphosyte 1568
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
> Biopsy Results
>
> Biopsy with microscopic (1 tissue)
> Sections of liver are submitted for examination.
> * Micrscopic Description
> The liver samples submitted for examination show marked
vacuolar
> denenerative change of the Hepatocytes. This is a fairly
diffuse change
> and is comprised of a mixture of microvesicular type of
degenerative
> vacuolar change. As well as fatty change. Many hepatocytes also
contain
> a yellowish-tan granular pigment consistent with Lipofuscin
and/or bile.
> The portal and central lombular areas contain increased numbers
of
> Leukocytes and these range from Lipoplasmacytic to mixtures of
> Lymphoid cells and neutrophils.
>
> * Diagnosis
> Vacuolar Hepatopathy with Bile Stasis
>
> *Comments
> the combined microvesicular type change and fatty change is
anomaly. This type of change can be seen with Cushings Disease
or even Diabetes. It may be good to also evaluate the
animals diet.
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> Giddeon has been eating Totally Ferret/ Zupreem/ 8in1(no corn
type)
> It don't seem like he was deprived of good food. I sure wished I
knew what brought this on.


Dear Helga:

The liver biopsy is non-specific and may well be due to not eating
properly. There is no comment in the description that says liver
cancer to me, at this point, however, the blood values are
problematic. The history of jaundice and the extremely high
bilirubin suggests severe liver dysfunction, more than just poor food
intake or digestion can cause. The high BUN and creatinine suggest
dehydration, and the low albumin and mildly elevated protein are
consistent with chronic intestinal inflammation. I can't see any
connection with diabetes here, as the glucose is low.

I'd like to see a second set of bloodwork in about a week. That
bilirubin is higher than I have ever seen, but I am not sure how much
it has been elevated artificially by dehydration.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM