From:
"susanmbaker@sbcglobal.net"
Date: 2011-03-29 16:17:15 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Non-Regenerative Anemia in Ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
I'm new to this group and I am seeking advice or counsel for my very ill 3-year-old ferret, Ziggy. About a month ago I noticed Ziggy's nose, gums and foot-pads were extremely pale, so I took him to the vet. Bloodwork was done -- the time-table, results and treatment are as follows:
March 2: HCT - 17.2 %, WBC - 4.35 K/ul, PLT - 866 K/ul, BUN - 19 mg/dl, CREAT - 0.2 mg/dl, ALT - 30 U/L, LIPASE - 2024 U/L
Because the lipase was so high, we treated Ziggy for helicobactor using sucralafate, amoxicillan and clindamyacin.
March 5: HCT - 12.7%, WBC - 5.05 K/ul, PLT - 901 K/ul
The vet gave Ziggy a steroid injection and he was started on oral prednisilone, 0.2 cc 2x/day (I'm sorry, I don't have the mg.'s)
March 7: HCT - 9.3%, WBC - 5.96 K/ul, PLT - 879 K/ul
Ziggy was given a blood transfusion. We started him on Epogen,0.7 injection every 48 hours. Prednisolone continued. He was also given a shot of Lupron. A bone marrow biopsy was performed and the diagnosis came back as "non-regenerative anemia" (cause unknown)
March 21: HCT - 34.5%, WBC - 7.29 K/ul, PLT - > 546 K/ul
Epogen was decreased to 1 injection per week.
Ziggy was looking pretty good. Not eating great, but OK. I am suplementing him with Duck Soup 2-3 times per day.
As of today, March 29, my little guy is looking pale again, not too interested in eating and is sleeping heavily. I called the vet and I am going to go back to Epogen injections every 48 hours again and I will watch him. He has another appointment on Monday, April 4 to check bloodwork.
I am just mystified as to what could have caused my healthy, beautiful 3-year-old ferret to suddenly become so ill. I have ruled out any poisoning -- I just can't come up with anything he could have gotten in to. He is a very picky eater -- doesn't eat treats. Not a "chewer".
I'm losing him and I don't know what else to do. Any insight would be appreciated. Please help!
Thank you for your time,
Susan Baker
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