Post by Michele (mmmclaughlin) on May 5, 2008 14:33:10 GMT -5
Ferret Blood Values
The following is for informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended to replace an assessment from a qualified veterinary professional. If you are questioning your ferret’s health, please contact your veterinarian.
Rectal temperature 100-103 F (37.8 - 39.4 C), 101.9 average.
Heart rate 120 beats/min (calm), 250 beats/min (stressed).
Respiration 33-36/min.
Urine volume 26-28 ml/ 24 hrs.
Urine pH 6.5-7.5; mild to moderate protein urea is common and normal.
Blood volume 60-80 ml/kg.
Explanation:
1. Blood glucose: Glucose is a sugar, the main energy source for the body. It is controlled by the amount of insulin inthe blood. Its level varies through the day, higher just after a meal, lower when the ferret hasn’t eaten. A non-fasted blood glucose test might give values up to 207 mg/dl, depending on when the ferret last ate. Testing the blood glucose after withholding food from the ferret for 4 hours (fasting blood glucose) eliminates the variation and gives you a more definite number. A low reading (hypoglycemia) may be a sign of insulinoma. A high reading (hyperglycemia) is rare and might be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes is rare in ferrets and, insulinoma can also cause a high glucose reading. You should double-check any diabetes diagnosis by looking for sugar in the urine as well.
Note: Fasting a ferret that is suspected of insulinoma is NOT recommended.
2. Pack cell volume/hematocrit (PCV/HCT): This is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Low readings indicate anemia; high readings are usually a sign of dehydration.
3. Red blood cells (RBC): Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Low readings show anemia.
4. White blood cells (WBC): White blood cells are part of the immune system. Readings over about 7000 may mean the ferret is fighting off an infection, cold or flu. Readings over 10,000 may be early signs of lymphoma or another cancer. Unusually low readings indicate anemia and a bone marrow problem.
5. Lymphocytes: Another type of white blood cell. High readings can indicate a "smoldering" infection, possibly Helicobacter mustelae. Many, but not all, cases of lymphosarcoma also show elevated lymphocyte levels.
6. Eosinophils: Another type of white blood cell, Often an indicator of intestinal disorders, infection, or cancer. Other parts of the blood profile must also be considered for a diagnosis.
7. Protein, Albumin and Globulin: Albumin is a kind of protein, and globulin is a general term for all proteins that aren't albumin. The numbers indicate the ferret's general health and nutrition. Albumin also helps show how well the liver and kidneys are working.
8. BUN and Creatinine:The job of the kidneys is to filter out impurities. If they aren't working well, these levels will be high.
9. Alkaline phosphatese:This is an enzyme found in the liver and bone. When bones are growing or the liver is damaged, lots of this is released into the blood.
10. Total bilirubin: A by-product of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Helps diagnose liver disease and bile duct obstruction.
11. Sodium, Potassium and Chloride: Controlled by the kidneys, these are commonly called blood electrolytes. They are involved in water balance, acid/base balance, and the transmission of nerve impulses, especially to the heart.
12. Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals are controlled by the parathyroid glands and the kidneys. The levels show possible problems with bones, blood clotting, and nerve, muscle, and cell activity.
The following is for informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended to replace an assessment from a qualified veterinary professional. If you are questioning your ferret’s health, please contact your veterinarian.
Rectal temperature 100-103 F (37.8 - 39.4 C), 101.9 average.
Heart rate 120 beats/min (calm), 250 beats/min (stressed).
Respiration 33-36/min.
Urine volume 26-28 ml/ 24 hrs.
Urine pH 6.5-7.5; mild to moderate protein urea is common and normal.
Blood volume 60-80 ml/kg.
Mean Acceptable Rangepre]
11Sodium (mmol/L) 153 143-163
11Potassium (mmol/L) 4.47 3.2-5.77
11Chloride (mmol/L) 116 106-127
12Calcium (mg/dl) 8.8 7.5-10.1
12Inorganic Phosphorus (mg/dl) 5.5 3.7-7.4
1Glucose (fasted) (mg/dl) 110 86-164
BUN (mg/dl) 21 8-37
Creatinine (mg/dl) 0.5 0.16-0.84
8BUN/Creatinine 21 10-46
7Total Protein (g/dl) 5.8 4.4-7.3
Triglycerides 98 31-101
GGT 4.8 1-13
Uric Acid 2.2 1.4-3.3
2PCV (%) 45.4 38-54
Hemoglobin (g/dl) 16.5 13-18
3RBC (x106/mm3) 9 7.0-11.0
Platelets (x103) 400 350-600
Reticulocytes (%) N/A N/A
4WBC (x103/mm3) 5.22 2.8-8.0
PMN 49% 42-65%
7Albumin (g/dl) 3.3 2.5-4.1
7Globulin (g/dl) 2.2 1.8-2.9
10Total Bilirubin (mg/dl) 0.2 0.1-0.5
Cholesterol (mg/dl) 174 76-272
9Alkaline Phosphatase (IU/L) 37 15-75
ALT (IU/L) 95 13-176
AST (IU/L) 61 23-99
CO2 22 14-30
A/G (g/dl) 1.3 1.0-2.3
LDH 274 101-498
Neutrophils 3017 (59%) 2329-5700 (39-85%)
5Lymphocytes 1157 (35%) 525-3500 (11-55%)
Monocytes 119 (2.6%) 52-177 (0.76-4.4%)
6Eosinophils 133 (2.8%) 29-432 (1-8%)
MCV (um3) 51 46-65
MCH (pg) 17.7 15.5-19.0
MCHC 33 29-36 [
Explanation:
1. Blood glucose: Glucose is a sugar, the main energy source for the body. It is controlled by the amount of insulin inthe blood. Its level varies through the day, higher just after a meal, lower when the ferret hasn’t eaten. A non-fasted blood glucose test might give values up to 207 mg/dl, depending on when the ferret last ate. Testing the blood glucose after withholding food from the ferret for 4 hours (fasting blood glucose) eliminates the variation and gives you a more definite number. A low reading (hypoglycemia) may be a sign of insulinoma. A high reading (hyperglycemia) is rare and might be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes is rare in ferrets and, insulinoma can also cause a high glucose reading. You should double-check any diabetes diagnosis by looking for sugar in the urine as well.
Note: Fasting a ferret that is suspected of insulinoma is NOT recommended.
2. Pack cell volume/hematocrit (PCV/HCT): This is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Low readings indicate anemia; high readings are usually a sign of dehydration.
3. Red blood cells (RBC): Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Low readings show anemia.
4. White blood cells (WBC): White blood cells are part of the immune system. Readings over about 7000 may mean the ferret is fighting off an infection, cold or flu. Readings over 10,000 may be early signs of lymphoma or another cancer. Unusually low readings indicate anemia and a bone marrow problem.
5. Lymphocytes: Another type of white blood cell. High readings can indicate a "smoldering" infection, possibly Helicobacter mustelae. Many, but not all, cases of lymphosarcoma also show elevated lymphocyte levels.
6. Eosinophils: Another type of white blood cell, Often an indicator of intestinal disorders, infection, or cancer. Other parts of the blood profile must also be considered for a diagnosis.
7. Protein, Albumin and Globulin: Albumin is a kind of protein, and globulin is a general term for all proteins that aren't albumin. The numbers indicate the ferret's general health and nutrition. Albumin also helps show how well the liver and kidneys are working.
8. BUN and Creatinine:The job of the kidneys is to filter out impurities. If they aren't working well, these levels will be high.
9. Alkaline phosphatese:This is an enzyme found in the liver and bone. When bones are growing or the liver is damaged, lots of this is released into the blood.
10. Total bilirubin: A by-product of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Helps diagnose liver disease and bile duct obstruction.
11. Sodium, Potassium and Chloride: Controlled by the kidneys, these are commonly called blood electrolytes. They are involved in water balance, acid/base balance, and the transmission of nerve impulses, especially to the heart.
12. Calcium and Phosphorus: These minerals are controlled by the parathyroid glands and the kidneys. The levels show possible problems with bones, blood clotting, and nerve, muscle, and cell activity.
all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big
Daxy is SO happy the weather is cooling off! He doesn't like the AC - it limits him to one room but when I let him go other places, he just flat ferrets cause it's too hote