NORMAL BLOOD TEST RANGES

Below are some acceptable ranges of blood results. If the results are normal you too are normal, means you have no diseases.

Below are some acceptable ranges of blood results. If the results are normal you too are normal, means you have no diseases.

If your tests indicate that you are within the normal range, you are most often considered normal. A "normal" Blood test result does not necessarily mean that you are healthy. The problem with these lies in how "normal ranges" are determined at that particular Blood testing laboratory.

The following information comes from "Normal Parameters and Laboratory Interpretation of Disease States in the Domestic Ferret," an article written by Dr. Tom Kawasaki around 1994.  Your veterinarian might find this information helpful.

                                                            Median             Acceptable Range

Bun (mg/dl)                                           21                     8-37

Creatinine (mg/dl)                                  0.5                    0.16-0.84

Bun/creatinine                                                               42

Total protein (g/dl)                                 5.8                    4.4-7.3

Albumin (g/dl)                                       3.3                    2.5-4.1

Globulin (g/dl)                                        2.2                    1.8-2.9

Total bilirubin (mg/dl)                             0.2                    0.1-0.5

Cholesterol (mg/dl)                                174                   76-272

Sodium (mmol/L)                                   153                   143-163

Potassium (mmol/L)                              4.47                  3.2-5.77

Chloride (mmol/L)                                 116                   105-127

Calcium (mg/dl)                                      8.8                   7.5-10.1

Inorganic phosphorus (mg/dl)                 5.5                    3.7-7.4

Glucose (fasted) (mg/dl)                        110                   65-164

Alkaline phosphatase (IU/L)                  37                     15-75

ALT (IU/L)                                          95                     13-176

AST (IU/L)                                          61                     23-99

CO2                                                     22                     14-30

A/G (g/dl)                                             1.3                    1.0-2.3

lymphocytes                                          1157                525-3500

                                                             (35%)              (11-55%)

monocytes                                            119                   52-177

                                                            (2.6%)             (0.76-4.4%)

eosinophils                                            133                   29-432

                                                            (2.8%)             (1-8%)

basophils                                                0                     0

MCV (um3)                                          51                     46-65

MCH (pg)                                             17.7                  15.5-19.0

MCHC                                                 33                     29-36

LDH                                                    274                   101-498

triglycerides                                          98                     31-101

GGT                                                     4.8                    1-13

uric acid                                                2.2                    1.4-3.3

PCV (%)                                              45.4                  38-54

hemoglobin (g/dl)                                                           13-18

RBC (X10^6/mm3)                                9.0                    7.0-11.0

platelets (X10^3)                                   400                   350-600

reticulocytes (%)                                                            N/A

WBC (x10^3/mm3)                               5.22                  2.8-8.0

Neutrophils                                           3017                2329-5700

                                                           (59%)              (39-85%)

There are, of course, dozens of components some of the ones people ask about most often, and normal ranges. 

Glucose

Glucose is a sugar, the main energy source for the body.  Its level varies through the day, higher just after a meal, lower when the ferret is hungry, but the body keeps it fairly constant mainly by controlling the amount of insulin in the blood. 

A non-fasted blood glucose test might give values up to 207 mg/dl, depending on when the ferret last ate.  Testing the blood glucose after withholding food from the ferret for 6 hours (fasting blood glucose) eliminates the variation and gives you a more definite number to judge it by.

A low reading (hypoglycemia) may be a sign of insulinoma.  A high reading (hyperglycemia) is rare, but might be a sign of diabetes.  However, insulinoma can also cause a high glucose reading, and since diabetes is extremely rare in ferrets, you should double-check any diabetes diagnosis by looking for sugar in the urine as well.

Pack cell volume/hematocrit (PCV/HCT)

This is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.  Low   readings indicate anemia; high readings are usually a sign of   dehydration.

Red blood cells (RBC)

Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues and carbon  dioxide back to the lungs.  Low readings show anemia.

BUN and Creatinine

The job of the kidneys is to filter out impurities, so if they   aren't working well, these levels will be high.

Alkaline phosphatese

This is an enzyme found in the liver and bone.  When bones are   growing or the liver is damaged, lots of this is released into the   blood.

White blood cells (WBC)

Part of the immune system.  Readings over about 7000 may mean   the ferret is  fighting off an infection, cold or flu.  Readings over   10,000 may be early signs of lymphoma or another cancer.  Unusually low readings indicate anemia   and a bone marrow problem.

Lymphocytes

Another type of white blood cell.  High readings can indicate a   "smoldering" infection, possibly Helicobacter mustelae, but not all,   cases of lymphosarcoma also show elevated lymphocyte levels .

Eosinophils

Another type of white blood cell.  Often an indicator of intestinal   disorders,  infection, or cancer.  Other parts of the blood profile   must also be considered for a diagnosis.

Protein, Albumin and Globulin

Albumin is a kind of protein, and globulin is a general term for all   proteins that aren't albumin, so protein - albumin = globulin.  The   numbers indicate the ferret's general health and nutrition, and   albumin also helps show how well the liver and kidneys are working.

Total bilirubin

A by-product of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood   cells.  Helps diagnose liver disease and bile duct obstruction.

Sodium, Potassium and Chloride.

Controlled by the kidneys, these are commonly called blood   electrolytes.  They are involved in water balance, acid/base balance,   and the transmission of nerve impulses, especially to the heart.

Calcium and Phosphorus

These minerals are controlled by the parathyroid glands and the   kidneys.  The levels show possible problems with bones, blood   clotting, and nerve, muscle, and cell activity.