Coagulation values in normal ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) using selected methods and reagents

Abstract

Background: Accurate determination of commonly measured coagulation values would be useful in the diagnosis and management of coagulopathies in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). We are unaware of reports of coagulation times in this species. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine reference values for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen concentration, and antithrombin (AT) activity in ferrets using selected methods and reagents. Methods: Blood samples obtained from 18 clinically healthy ferrets were anticoagulated with 0.129 M sodium citrate in a ratio of 9 parts blood to 1 part anticoagulant. Plasma was collected and stored at À 701C until analysis. PT and PTT were measured with a fibrometer and with an ACL 3000 automated system. PTT was measured with and without the addition of ellagic acid. Fibrinogen was assayed by a turbidimetric method. AT activity was determined using a chromogenic assay and pooled ferret plasma (100% activity). Differences in methods and reagents were evaluated using paired t tests. Results: PT was significantly longer using the fibrometer (12.3 AE 0.3, 11.6-12.7 seconds) compared with the ACL (10.9 AE 0.3, 10.6-11.6 seconds) (P o.01). PTT was not significantly different with the fibrometer (18.7 AE 0.9, 17.5-21.1 seconds) vs the ACL (18.1 AE 1.1, 16.5-20.5 seconds), but was significantly longer on both analyzers when ellagic acid was added (fibrometer 20.4 AE 0.8, ACL 20.0 AE 1.0,.1 seconds) (P o.01). Fibrinogen concentration was 107.4 AE 19.8 mg/dL (90.0-163.5 mg/dL), and AT activity was 96% AE 12.7% (69.3-115.3%). Conclusion: These coagulation results for healthy ferrets will be useful in the evaluation of ferrets with coagulopathies, provided similar reagents and methods are used.

Comparison of the Blood Coagulation Profiles of Ferrets and Rats

“…The ferret PT and aPTT values found in our study were similar to the previously reported reference values for ferrets [1,8]. However, the ferret fibrinogen value (486.7 ± 97.9 mg/dl) detected in our study was quite different from the previously reported value (107.4 ± 19.8 mg/dl) [1]. This discrepancy might have been due to the different assays used because the fibrinogen measurement was performed with the PT-fibrinogen method using a photo-optic analyzer in the previous report [1] and by the Clauss method with an electro-mechanical analyzer in our study.…”

“…system. The ferret PT and aPTT values found in our study were similar to the previously reported reference values for ferrets [1,8]. However, the ferret fibrinogen value (486.7 ± 97.9 mg/dl) detected in our study was quite different from the previously reported value (107.4 ± 19.8 mg/dl) [1].…”

“…Determination of the blood coagulation profiles of healthy ferrets would facilitate the detection and monitoring of coagulopathies and drug effects in this species. However, there is limited information available about the blood coagulation values of ferrets [1,8].Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT) are the most commonly used clotting time assays in mammals. PT, aPTT, and TT assess the function of the extrinsic pathway, the intrinsic pathway, and the common pathway, respectively [15].…”

“…Determination of the blood coagulation profiles of healthy ferrets would facilitate the detection and monitoring of coagulopathies and drug effects in this species. However, there is limited information available about the blood coagulation values of ferrets [1,8].…”

A review of radiation countermeasures focusing on injury-specific medicinals and regulatory approval status: part I. Radiation sub-syndromes, animal models and FDA-approved countermeasures

“…The effective dose at which 50% of ferrets exhibited an emetic response to radiation is similar to that of humans (Sanzari et al 2013). Data from the ferret studies have been used to develop a mathematical model for the human emetic response to radiation as well as to identify the dopaminergic mechanisms that play a minor role in radiation-induced emesis in the ferret (Benson et al 2008).…”