From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-03-25 14:13:32 UTC
Subject: Re: Need help interpreting test results please
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0303250912280.32718-100000@login7.isis.unc.edu>
Author wrote:
<<snip> We know she is anemic, but unsure what might be causing the
anemia. What other tests should be run? How often should a CBC or other
tests be done to monitor her? We are at a loss what to do next and would
appreciate any suggestions. >>
(I'm not a vet and am really out of my depth here - haven't seen any
replies yet though...)
Anemia as I'm sure you know could be from several causes. With a
history of adrenal disease, I'd wonder about the case of the
other gland becoming diseased. The estrogen from a diseased adrenal
could be suppressing her red blood cell production and causing the
anemia. This isn't a common complication, but it can happen. Is she
showing any signs of adrenal disease?
Kidney disease can cause anemia, although you'd probably be seeing a
lot of dilute urine if this was the case. But you could run more
blood, a chemistry panel including a BUN and creatinine to check the
kidney function. Epogen (procrit) can be used to help with anemia
from chronic kidney failure.
Outside of that, I'm sure various kinds of malignancies and lymphoma
could cause it... I think the chemistry panel would be a good next
step, especially if she's not showing signs of adrenal disease...
If nothing turns up, and the adrenal is a possibility, you could run
the TN blood panel to look for elevated hormones. If it turns out
to be the adrenal, Epogen won't help. You'd need to address the
adrenal problem with either surgery (if this older ferret is up to
it) or large doses of Lupron and maybe melatonin.
If her hematocrit falls, transfusions from any other healthy ferret can
help her and might buy time... You can search the archives for the word
anemia and see some other possibilities (including the scary AIHA -
autoimmune hemolytic anemia) at http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/
Anyway, just a couple of ideas. I hope more folks will reply!
Best wishes,
-Pam S.
End of ferrethealth Digest
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