Use of two point-of-care analyzers provides reference intervals of prothrombin time and activated partial prothrombin time in nonanesthetized healthy ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

OBJECTIVE Coagulation tests are an essential tool in the diagnosis and management of coagulopathies in mammals. The aim of the current study was to establish reference intervals for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial PT (aPTT) in healthy ferrets using 2 different point-of-care analyzers (Idexx Coag DX and MS QuickVet Coag Combo).ANIMALS 86 clinically healthy ferrets under 3 years of age (47 females and 39 males) from 4 breeders and 2 private practices.PROCEDURES Blood samples were collected from the cranial vena cava in all ferrets without anesthesia and placed in trisodium 3.2% citrated plastic tubes. Sixty-six blood samples from the 4 ferret breeding farms and 1 private practice were analyzed using the Idexx Coag DX and 21 from the other private practice using the MS QuickVet Coag Combo.RESULTS Reference intervals for the Idexx Coag DX were as follows: aPTT (n = 65), 69.84 to 105.99 seconds; PT (65), 14.44 to 21.98 seconds. Reference intervals for the MS QuickVet Coag Combo were as follows: aPTT (n = 21), 74.90 to 115.50 seconds; PT (21), 18.31 to 23.05 seconds. With both types of analyzers, there was no significant age effect on aPTT and PT.CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provided coagulation times for 2 point-of-care analyzers in healthy ferrets as a tool for the diagnosis of coagulopathies.