From:
melissa allen
Date: 2006-04-22 19:22:40 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Intro/ blood values information request
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
melissa allen <melissa_llen@yahoo.com> wrote: Hello. My name is Melissa, I'm
the caretaker of two beautiful ferrets, both of which are Marshall Farm kids. I have
been feeding raw/whole prey for about 2 1/2 years now and am pleased with the
results.
Both my boys enjoy mice, quail, cornish hen, chicken, turkey, rabbit, and all the
organs and bones that go along with the natural diet.
*Kindly do not rake me over the coal for my choices concerning natural diet*
However, Buddy is now approximately 4 years old and an adoptee. He came to me
1 1/2 years ago and while I did manage to switch him to natural food, he refuses to
knaw on bones or eat mice that aren't finely chopped. The result has been poor
dental health which he was treated for three days ago. His blood results (I like to
run a CBC before anything is done) have raised some questions and prodded my vet
to run a urinalysis. Some of the results are as follows:
Total protein: 8.1 g/dL
BUN: 33
Creatinine: 1.2
Calcium: 12.9
Phosphorus: 16.5
Potassium: 6.0
Sodium: 183
WBC: 5.2 thous/uL
RBC: 14.7 millio/uL
HGB: 24.5 g/dL
HCT: 66.2 %
As you can see, the results are elevated except for the BUN.
His urinalysis revealed eosinophils and a Specific Gravity of 1.012 (meaning he's
NOT concentrating his urine). It was however, clear and of normal pH.
He is being treating with Baytril for a possible UTI, but the vet cautioned me that
we 'may' be seeing the signs of very early renal failure.
Now, I question this because he's NOT a kibble-fed ferret....which is where the
'normal' values are established from. As well, because I believe that kibble-fed
ferrets routinely suffer from chronic mild dehydration, I also question the validity of
the Specific Gravity of his urine. Is it not possible that because his diet is naturally
close to 70% water that he's just very well hydrated?
What I'm hoping someone from this list can provide is blood values from a ferret
that has been fed naturally for a long period of time. Perhaps Buddy's results are
normal for what his diet consists of.
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Melissa, Buddy and Peter.
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