> - 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]