Physiological justification for the use of leukocyte indices in assessing the health status in ferrets

Despite its relatively widespread, many physiological parameters, including blood, in ferrets still need to be studied. Leukocyte indices are calculated values obtained on the basis of leukogram values. As a rule, they are not a direct indicator of a specific disease, however, they are important indirect markers that can help in compiling a list of differential diagnoses.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the indicators of leukocyte indices in clinically healthy ferrets, as well as to compare the obtained indicators with some available reference values in other animal species.

Materials and methods. The morphological parameters of the blood of 10 clinically healthy ferrets were analyzed. In the stabilized blood, the number of leukocytes and the leukogram were determined according to generally accepted methods, followed by the calculation of the following leukocyte indices: Krebs index (KI), leukocyte intoxication index (LII), nuclear index of GD Dashtyantsa (NI), leukocyte displacement index (LDI), leukocyte index (LI), neutrophil-monocyte ratio index (NMRI), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio index (LMRI). 

Results. The results of the presented study can potentially improve the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases in ferrets, identify markers of early mortality, and assess the dynamics of pathological processes. The indicators of leukocyte indices used indirectly reflect the degree of activity of the immune system, including phagocytosis, cell proliferation and regeneration, as well as the interaction of humoral and cellular immunity. In the future, the study is planned to expand by increasing the sample size, analyzing individual diseases, physiological conditions, dietary effects, and the relationship with the severity of the condition, duration, and quality of life.

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