From:
"Karin"
Date: 2003-04-16 04:02:08 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] More questions on anemia (sorry for the length)
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <2523214.1050586329203.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium>
Hi Angela,
Have your ferret ever had a tick infestation? Here, in Brazil, ticks can transmit a parasite (Babesia spp) wich destroy red cells in blood.....
Karin
----- Original Message -----
From: Aby0570@juno.com
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 11:09 PM
Subject: [ferrethealth] More questions on anemia (sorry for the length)
My vet still isn't sure what is causing Fagin's anemia.
Stats:
Fagin is 8-9 years old; her left adrenal gland was removed several years ago; her hair has thinned out, but she is not balding; she's lethargic, losing weight, and very anemic; she's been treated with Frontline; and she had Lupron and Vitamin B-12 shots at the beginning of April.
The blood chemistry results that didn't come back in the normal range are as follows:
Glucose 77 (low)
Creatinine 0.9 (high)
Total Protein 7.8 (high)
Albumin 2.2 (low)
Alkaline Phosphatase 69 (high)
Sodium 162 (high)
Chloride 130 (high)
Albumin/Globulin Ratio 0.4 (low)
Globulin 5.6 (high)
Hemoglobin 5.1 (low)
Hematocrit 16.6 (low)
RBC 3.74 (low)
MCV 44 (low)
MCH 13.6 (low)
Platelet Count 230 (low)
Differential:
Neutrophils 4028 76%
Lymphocytes 954 18%
Monocytes 212 4%
Eosinophils 106 2%
Hypochromia Moderate
Anisocytosis Slight
Polychromasia Slight
Remarks:
Howell Jolly Bodies
My vet and I have looked up a lot of this stuff, but haven't found any kind of definitive diagnosis. She's obviously horribly anemic, but why we can't determine. Are we missing something? Should we keep checking her CBC? If so, how often? Fagin has to be anesthetized to draw blood and I hate to put her through that too often if it isn't going to help us help her.