Message Number: SG15713 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Steve Austin
Date: 2005-10-17 03:08:12 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Calix's CBC results - need answers
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com

posting the exact CBC would help more to clear up the confusion.

If you are talking about hematocrit instead of RBC then 8.5 is low, if
truely RBC then what is the PVC ( hct) or hgb? What is the white cell
count.
Ferrets tend to run on the lower ends of the normal range. Actually
since your original post said his RBC should be 40 I am assuming you
are actually talking about his PVC or Hematocrit. So, then yes, 8.5 is
critical, not even sure if compatable with life. I would recheck with
your
vet on that, his gums should be almost white.

Is Calix pale gums, paw pads? White nose ?

IF truely very anemic, then a blood transfusion will help as a quick fix,

there are other options. Really depends on teh cause of the anemia and
so on.
Removing the spleen may have caused the anemia, since the spleen can
store
a lot of blood volume. The bleeding in the stools could also have done
it.
If the bleeding has stopped, that is good. Still, if truely that low a
blood count-
I would consider verifying that, and then a blood transfusion from
another ferret and just give
him a boost. Then perhaps pet tinic, for iron and even something like
epogen shots
to get his blood built back up- assuming it is not from total shut down
of his bone
marrow or from bleeding that is on going.
Aplastic anemia is the shut down of the bone marrow, this can be
temporarily helped
with a blood transfusion, but there are not any good fixes for this- you
vet can
sometimes tell by the blood results, the retic. count if this is the
cause. IF this is his
thought then that may be why he mentioned the bone marrow transplant.

It sounds like your vet knows a lot, considering took out a spleen,
adrenal, got him on some
good meds. He may consider consulting with another ferret vet if he is
stumped at this point.

good luck,

patty

On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:42:18 -0400 Ann Haager <ann@haager.net> writes:
> Calix had a CBC done Friday and the red blood cell count was 8.5 and
> the
> white blood cell count was low but I didn't get the numbers. I think
> I
> posted that information, but I wanted to reiterate it so I could
> ask
> this question...Could a blood transfer help him in this case?



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