From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-06-13 02:45:41 UTC
Subject: RE: URENT! Could this be Lymphoma?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7249443.1055472341062.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Dear Karen:
I see a severe case of anemia (which is certainly why she is so quiet and lethargic) and elevated white cells. While this can be lymphoma, I am unclear on the levels of lymphocytes from your transcript. This may also be a case of hemolytic anemia, which often has an elevated white blood cell count as well, as the body reacts to the destruction of circulating red cells.
The remainder of the panel is not too bad, but that red blood cell level is down near transfusion level.
It is definitely not heartworm disease. You don't mention the age of this ferret....
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
Author wrote:
> I took my ferret to the vet yesterday and I guess you could say I'm sort of looking for a second opinion. His diagnosis is Lymphoma.
> I started noticing her unusual weight loss about a month ago and also noticed her sleeping more. I figured she might be a little depressed because my work I have been so busy that it has kept me from playing with my ferrets like usual. I gave her a bath Sunday night and that's when I really noticed she had lost such a significant amount of weight. Any info is helpful. I just want to make sure.
> She is on Liquid Tenic and Clavamox and eating duck soup and still drinking water but is very weak - sleeping most of the time.
> These are her levels from her lab work:
> HCT: 11.6%
> HGB: 3.8
> MCHC: 32.8
> WBC: 28.9
> %Grans: 26.8
> L/M: 2.1 (lymphosites?)
> % L?M 7%
> PLT >1235
> Retics 0.3%
> ALB: 2.16
> ALKP: 128 U/L
> ALT: 120 U/L
> AMYL: 49 U/L
> BUN: 18.3
> Ca: 7.52
> CHOL: 129.2
> CREA: 0.27
> GLU: 212.9
> PHOS: 3.80
> Bilirubin?: (TBIL): 0.10
> TP: 6.33
> GLOB: 4.17
> Thanks,
> Karen