From:
"Amanda"
Date: 2011-06-26 15:36:27 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Ferret FIP
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello
I have a female ferret who is 18 months old. I recently took her to the vet because I noticed her urine was green. I had seen it a few times prior but it was mixed with stool and I was not sure if that was the reason. This was probably atleast 3-4 months ago that I first saw it mixed with stool and it was only once every now and then. Two months ago I noticed a lump in her abdomen and took her to the vets. He said her spleen was enlarged, but that it was smooth and it wasn't uncommon in ferrets. When I took her back to the vets three weeks ago for the green urine it came back positive for bilirubin. I still only see the green urine every once in a while, its not consistant. The vet called a specialist once he got the urine results back and was told that this was probably the ferret FIP like cornovirus. I've tried to look this up but I havent found much information on the disease. She has no other signs or symptoms other than the enlarged spleen. She is underweight, about 750 grams but she has been this weight for atleast a year now and has not lost or really gained any weight. She eats/drinks plays and has normal stool and a normal amount of urine.
We decided the next step was a CBC/Chem panel. The results came back with high total proteins and globulin levels and he said that this backs up the diagnosis of ferret FIP.
These are the test results
WBC (high) 10.3 norm/2.5-8.0
(degenerative WBC's observed, WBC count and differential may be affected)
RBC 8.2 normal/6.5-11.0
HGB 10.6(low) norm 15.0-19.0
HCT 37(low) norm 43-55
MCV 45(low) norm 50-65
MCH 12.8 (low) norm 16.5-20.0
MCHC 29 (low) norm 32-35
Anisocytosis - moderate
RBC comment - Rouleaux slight
Platelet count 161
Neutrophils 2678
Lymphocytes 6798
Monocytes 206
Eosinophils 618
Basophils 0
Total protein 10.2(high) norm 5.5-7.6
Albumin 2.1 (low) norm 2.4-4.5
Globulin 8.1 (high) norm 2.9-4.9
SGOT (AST) 75 norm 50-280
SGPT (ALT) 45 norm 10-280
Alk Phosphate 311 (high) norm 15-45
Total Bilirubin 0.1 norm 0.0-0.1
BUN 28 norm 10-33
Creatinine 0.5 norm 0.2-0.8
Phosphorus 4.2 norm 4.2-8.5
Glucose 92 norm 80-120
Calcium 8.8 norm 7.7-11.0
sodium 142 norm 140-160
Potassium 3.7 (low) norm 4.3-5.8
Chloride 113 (High) norm 90-110
Cholesterol 136 norm 60-300
CPK 68 norm 60-300
The vet now wants to do a biposy to confirm. My question is, could this be anything else? If not, how long does it take for Ferret FIP to run its course? If she only has a couple of months to live then I don't know if I should put her through surgery. He mentioned medications that were helpful in improving her quality of life. He did not say the names of the medications but do they actually help or would they extend her life? Should I be worried that my other ferrets could contract this disease? I have seen conflicting reports of how it is spread. If anyone has any input or helpful information it would be very much apperciated.
Thanks
Amanda
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