>  - excessively high red blood cell count
>  - 72% of red blood cells vs serum (normal values in the 50% range?)
>    in a centrifuge test to separate sells from serum
>  - 15,000 cells per microliter in the count of number of red blood
>    cells per field on the slide (normal 6k-11k/microliter?)
 
 
Gotta say that I'd not start treatment at this time, with no conclusive
evidence for what's going on.  I have seen elevated red cell counts
before, and at 72% in an otherwise pretty normal ferret, I would schedule
for a repeat CBC and monitor the condition.  I have seen these counts go
back to normal more often than not.  I am currently treating a ferret for
polycythemia vera (which is a cancer of the bone marrow that produces
excessive red cells) and his presenting red cell count was over 90%.
 
However, if the elevated red count should persist, then some testing
should be considered.  A splenic aspirate is a possibility, and so is a
bone marrow aspirate.  I have seen ferrets with adrenal disease have
elevated red counts, so that should be looked into.
 
Good luck, and hopefully this is a transient thing, and not a cause for
alarm.
 
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.
[Posted in FML issue 3588]