**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:    Erin Hanson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: The sicky  :(
>Ok.  A couple of days ago, I wrote in saying that my oldest ferret, Codo,
>had dropped about half her body weight and I was going to get a blood
>testfor her.  I have gotten the results of her blood test and I don't really
 
The kidneys regulate the production of the red blood cellsby the bone marrow
by the production of a substance called erythropoeitin.  With kidney
disease, this substance can decrease and hence the production of red blood
cells by the bone marrow is also decreased.  High estrogen levels also turn
down (or turn off) the bone marrow production of red blood cells.  As for
explaining the percent number.  When blood is centrifuged at a certain time
at a certain speed in a tube, the red blood cells settle to the bottom of
the tube.  The percent of tube filled by red blood cells to the total volume
of blood put into the tube is called the packed cell volume (PCV).  A PCV of
45% means that red bllod cells occupy the bottom 45% of the tube.  36% is
not a massive anemia and I would put estrogen induced problems lower on the
list of possible casues.  I would consider kidney disease as possible along
with any low grade gastric bleeding (see the FAQ for Helicobacter
enteritis).  One easy test is to see if the anemia was regenerative or not -
ask your vet.  Regenerative (the bone marrow is pumping out new, young red
blood cells) would be indicative of a chronic bleeding as opposed to kidney
disease or estrogen toxicity.  The reason why I suggest this is your comment
about lymphoma.  If you vet felt an enlarged spleen, this is a symptom also
of chronic low grade bleeding.  It can also be enlarged due to lymphoma.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH, USA
[Posted in FML issue 1846]