From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-01-12 02:25:55 UTC
Subject: RE: red blood cells count dangersly low & itchy
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1636345.1042338355657.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> Please help my 10month old female ferret(shadow)is sick and the vet ran tests and the following is the results
> HCT =10.0
> HGB = 3.6
> MCHC = 36.0
> WBC = 5.7
> Grans = 2.2
> PLT =950
> He said it could be Cancer of the spleen or bone marrow and their isn't much hope if thats what it is
This bloodwork is not good at all. A HCT of 10 warrants a transfusion, however, the very low platelets suggest that there is a problem with the bone marrow - you have two fo the three lines of cells at a dangerously low level. Many cases of bone marrow disease arise either from elevated levels of estrogen, or lymphoma. My usual recommendations in such cases are aspirates of the bone marrow, but I'm not sure if that stress will be enough to push this ferret over the edge.
Wish I had better news...
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM