THE ADVICE DISPENSED BY MYSELF IN REFERENCE TO FML POSTINGS IS NOT MEANT TO
SUPPLANT THE ADVICE OF VETERINARIANS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PATIENT.  IF
THE PATIENT IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF A VETERINARIAN, THE CLIENT IS
RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THEIR FERRET TO ONE.
 
>From:    Kelleen Andrews <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Docs & All HELP!  Lightstar appears ill again.
>If you recall Light had a very large spleen removed about a month ago.
>My main question is to the DOCS.  Is there a test or many that could be run
>to rule out other things and what are they called exactly?  I believe there
>is a test for the cancers, adrenal disease, and others too.
 
Sorry, there is no ONE test for a general check-up. There are not even tests
that are specific for some certain diseases. The following is a list of some
xample tests for common ferret diseases, but in case of some multi-systemic
diseases (such as heart disease), they may not show all the abnormalities.
 
TESTS THAT ARE SPECIFIC FOR ONE DISEASE
insulinoma - resting blood glucose and insulin level
hyper adrenal disease - the Univ. of Tenn. ferret adrenal panel
ovarian remnant - estrogen level
urinary tract infection - urinalysis
urinary bladder stones - x-ray
bone fractures - x-ray
 
TESTS THAT HELP DETERMINE A PARTICULAR ORGAN FUNCTION (may not be specific
to cause, prognosis, etc.)
heart disease  - auscultation, x-ray, ultrasound
malignant lymphoma - physical exam, biopsy
masses - physical exam, biopsy
spleen masses - physcial exam, biopsy
 
The problem with biopsies is that you need to biopsy the correct tissue.
That may not be possible such as some type of spinal cord or brain lesion.
Intestinal diseases are easy to biopsy by surgical methods but that entails
anesthesia (which may be risky to an ill ferret) and major abdominal
surgery.  So...  you have a number of difficulties from the medical side to
run a test for general health.  Even if you can target a specific area,
there may not be a definitive test and the owner needs to agree to costs,
risks, etc.
 
In conclusion the best general health measure you can take is to start with
a thorough, complete physical examination with a complete history.  If you
notice something abnormal, bring it up to the doctor.  For the most part the
yearly vaccine physical should suffice in a healthy young to adult ferret.
If the ferret is over 5 to 6 years, there is probably good reason to look at
physical exams every six months.  Some vets put other diagnostic testing in
with the older ferret physical (blood glucose level, chest x-rays, and so
forth).
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1470]