http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/1074 >The hematocrit (the percentage of the blood that is cells versus >plasma is extremely low, and likely the cause of the white stools. You >don't mention whether she is pale, but take a good close look at the >nailbeds, gums, pawpads, and nose. I'm betting unfortunately that they >are very pale. If this value is valid, and I have no reason not to >believe it, then Buddy is severely anemic and we are dealing with a >life-threatening problem. If the hematocrit drops below 12 in a >ferret, a transfusion is generally recommended; if it is less than 10, >then organ failure, including liver and kidney is a likely sequela. >This bloodwork doesn't suggest renal failure at this time. The white >blood cell count is acceptable at this time. > >Causes of anemia in ferrets include significant and prolonged bleeding >from gastric ulcers, other types of blood loss including severe >parasitism, adrenal disease in rare cases, hemolytic anemia, bone >marrow disease (most commonly seen in unsprayed jills), and drug >reactions. It is often difficult to diagnose precisely, but the common >causes, including gastric ulcers, adrenal disease, and prolonged >estrus often show other clinical signs. > >This is a very sick ferret. > >With kindest regards, > >Bruce Williams, DVM brought to the FML by FHL co-moderator Sukie (not a vet) Current FHL address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth People can join there or can send a blank mail to the automated joining address: [log in to unmask] and then follow the directions. (The second is recommended for those having problems with Yahoogroups web settings, and afterward send a blank mail from your subscribed address to [log in to unmask] to get the digest instead of individual mails. ) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml [Posted in FML 5503]