title: Hematology of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
abstract: Pet ferrets are presented to veterinary clinics for routine care and treatment of clinical diseases and female reproductive problems. In addition to obtaining clinical history, additional diagnostic testing may be required, including hematological assessments. This article describes common blood collection methods, including venipuncture sites, volume of blood that can be safely collected, and handling of the blood. Hematological parameters for normal ferrets are provided along with a description of the morphology of ferret leukocytes to assist in performing a differential count.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, 245 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: stsmith7@vt.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, 245 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.affiliation: North End Center, Virginia Tech, 300 Turner Street Northwest, Suite 4120, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D005289:Ferrets / Q000097:blood*; D006405:Hematology / Q000379:methods; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Blood collection; Ferret; Hematology; Hemogram; White blood cells