Composition of cerebrospinal fluid in clinically normal adult ferrets.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the protein and cellular composition of CSF in healthy adult ferrets.


METHODS
42 clinically normal adult ferrets.


METHODS
CSF samples were collected from the cerebellomedullary cistern of anesthetized ferrets by use of disposable 25-gauge, 1.6-cm-long hypodermic needles. Samples were processed within 20 minutes after collection. The number of WBCs and RBCs per microliter of CSF was counted by use of a hemacytometer. The total protein concentration was determined by use of an automated chemistry analyzer.


RESULTS
Total WBC counts (range, 0 to 8 cells/microL; mean, 1.59 cells/microL) in CSF of ferrets were similar to reference range values obtained for CSF from other species. Twenty-seven CSF samples had <100 RBCs/microL (mean, 20.3 RBCs/microL). A small but significant effect of blood contamination on WBC counts was found between the 27 CSF samples with <100 RBCs/microL and the remaining samples. Protein concentrations in CSF of ferrets (range, 28.0 to 68.0 mg/dL; mean, 31.4 mg/dL) were higher than has been reported for the CSF of dogs and cats. A significant effect of blood contamination on the CSF protein concentration was not found.


CONCLUSIONS
We have established reference range values for WBC counts and protein concentrations in CSF from healthy adult ferrets that may be useful in the clinical investigation of CNS disease. Results of our study indicate that the WBC count is significantly affected by blood contamination of the CSF sample.
Platt
Simon R
SR
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Dennis
Patricia M
PM
McSherry
Leo J
LJ
Chrisman
Cheryl L
CL
Bennett
R Avery
RA
D000818:Animals; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005289:Ferrets / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D007530:Isoflurane; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012016:Reference Values
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D007530:Isoflurane