To Ian about CatScan B:
 
>I took "Rat" in for his distemper shot yesterday, a grueling experience to say
>the least (just purchased him recently--got shots for safety measure), and the
>vet. that administered the fervac also pointed out a product called "Catscan
>B".
>She explained it to be a blood detector in the urine.  She said that you pour
>it (it is a powder) over a fresh wet spot in the litter box and if blueish
>crystals start to form then there is blood present.
 
>My question is, would this work in ferrets?
 
 
Ian - I'm sure that this would work in ferrets.  Orthotoluidine dye has been
used for years by vets (as part of a dipstick) to test for the presence of
occult blood (blood that has been broken down or is in such minute quantities
that you can't see by the naked eye.
 
        This would work as early warning for ferrets with bladder stones,
bladder infections, and possibly kidney infections.
 
        Two provisos, however:  1) Urine contaminated with fecal material may be
positive due to the presence of blood in food from the usage of meat products.
2)  Don't use this on white carpets.  You may have a permanent blue stain.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                 Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1071]