Malka Shachar, Hawkins Michelle G, Zabolotzky Shanon M, Mitchell Elizabeth B, Owens Sean D
William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Sep 15;237(6):695-700. doi: 10.2460/javma.237.6.695.
An 8-month-old spayed female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for examination to determine the cause of lethargy and severe anemia.
Initial examination revealed that the ferret was lethargic but with appropriate mentation. The only other abnormal findings were severe pallor of the mucous membranes, nasal planum, and skin and a PCV of 8%. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) was diagnosed on the basis of cytologic evaluation of a bone marrow biopsy specimen.
Medical treatment included blood transfusions, IM administration of iron dextran, oral administration of antimicrobials and gastrointestinal tract protectants, and SC administration of erythropoietin. Once PRCA was diagnosed, the ferret was orally administered prednisone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine. Nine months after onset of treatment, the PRCA was in remission and the ferret was doing well. Immunosuppressive treatment was discontinued at 14 months after onset of treatment, and 36 months after initial examination, the ferret appeared to be healthy.
It is important that PRCA be considered as a differential diagnosis for a ferret with severe anemia. Prolonged immunosuppressive treatment was successful in the ferret described here.
一只8个月大已绝育的雌性家养雪貂（艾鼬）因嗜睡和严重贫血前来检查以确定病因。
初步检查发现这只雪貂嗜睡，但精神状态正常。唯一其他异常发现是黏膜、鼻平面和皮肤严重苍白，红细胞压积为8%。根据骨髓活检标本的细胞学评估诊断为纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血（PRCA）。
医学治疗包括输血、肌肉注射右旋糖酐铁、口服抗菌药物和胃肠道保护剂以及皮下注射促红细胞生成素。一旦诊断出PRCA，给这只雪貂口服泼尼松、环孢素和硫唑嘌呤。治疗开始9个月后，PRCA缓解，雪貂状况良好。治疗开始14个月后停止免疫抑制治疗，初次检查36个月后，这只雪貂看起来很健康。
对于患有严重贫血的雪貂，将PRCA视为鉴别诊断很重要。在这里描述的雪貂中，长期免疫抑制治疗是成功的。
