>) What would cause calcium to be low for a few months, return to normal,
>  then drop again? There haven't been any changes in appetite or diet.
>2) What is "hemolysis" and how does its presence affect RBC, HGB, HCT,
>   MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels?
>3) What is "polychromasia"?
>4) What exactly are monocytes and what causes them to become elevated?
>5) Do elevated lymphocytes indicate the possibility of a particular type
>   of infection or disease (such as lymphoma - even if the WBC is normal),
>   or simply suggest some sort of infection (like a chronic, smoldering
>   one) or disease is/may be present? (I hope this isn't one of those
>   "no such thing as a dumb question" questions.)
>6) Lastly, would ingesting NutriCal a few minutes before a blood draw
>   cause a slightly elevated glucose?
>Thanks.
 _____________________
1.Can answer some, mostly as related to humans.  Calcium is measured as the
total, about 1/2 is bound to protiens (the active form is the ionized ca
but is not measured directly, and is not dependent on the proteins).  So
if the albumin is low ,and since Ca. binds to albumin then the calcium is
artificially low on the test results.  So, if the albumin was down because
of not eating well, or loss in the urine ( in humans more likely), then the
calcium can go up and down.  Of course, Calcium can also go up and down if
it there is increase use, intake of Vit D , loss or change in Parathyroid
hormone.  Also, can change some if blood is drawn after tourniquite on for
a while.  Don't think it is so important in ferrets.
 
2. Hemolysis is the breakdown of the RBC's- in humans they usually live
120 days, but if they hemolysis and die sooner then they have to be
replaced by the bone marrow.  which if it is not affected by the cause of
the hemolysis, should turn on and start to make more blood.  This blood
doesn't have time to mature before it is released and has more nucleated
centers.  The marrow can't keep up and the person/ferret starts to become
anemic, depending on the rate of hemolysis.  The cells look fragmented or
shape is different and there is an increase retic count ( if marrow is
working), an increase in bilirubin if the liver can't keep up with the
breakdown,etc.  So RBC less, HGB and HCT low, MCHC bigger if there are
spherocytes or cold antibodies, or normal.
 
3. Monocytes are a kind of WBC.  Usually only 1-2% or so of normal, if
high it isn't specific for anything that I know of, but in children usually
attribituted to viral illness if acute.  Although can be seen in protozoal
disease, few other infections, and in other conditions, like recovering
from sepsis.
 
4. Only true way to diagnose lymphoma is on biopsy, since it is primarily
affecting the lymph nodes, it is not like leukemia where you may see a
great change in the WBC- suggestive of cancer (like blasts).  Lymphocytes
should always be higher % than polys ( or neutophils), polys are WBC's
and are usually the first line defense to fighting infections.  Polys are
higher in bacterial infections, and when they are being used too much the
more mature form of bands are found, so polys and bands are a sign of
acute infection.  Certain conditions do exist where there is an abnormal
increase in lymphocytes - like 80% or more, in children Whooping cough
comes to mind.
 
Of course, would welcome any comments or corrections if someone sees fit.
 
Patty
[Posted in FML issue 3419]