From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2004-01-08 02:04:49 UTC
Subject: RE: strange case
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <112632.1073527489294.JavaMail.root@indium.smartgroups.com>
Dear Lisa:
For an animal of this age with a high WBC count, a bacterial meningitis is at the top of the list. They can be very difficult to diagnose, and most clinics are not really set up to do a spinal tap on a ferret of this size and age.
I'm not sure where the odd kidney fits in, if it does at all. I notice that you have done a CBC, but how about a blood chemistry - are kindey and liver enzymes within normal ranges?
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams DVM
Author wrote:
> I have a very strange case involving an 8 week old kit, released to the
> shelter by its former owners.
> Ferret was having seizures the night before releasing him to me. Ferret upon
> initial exam was given a very poor prognosis - 340g weight, completely
> lethargic, dehydrated, emaciated, non responsive and has noticeable head tremors.
> WBC was 24,000; Proteins low, RC low, albumen high.Vet can palpate an abnormal
> kidney. Xrays were not helpful as the ferret has no body fat to give a good
> contrast, but we could see that that spinal cord was normal. Temp was low normal.