The effect of xylazine and xylazine-etorphine- acepromazine combination on some clinical and haematological parameters in impala and eland

Reference Intervals for Hematology and Clinical Chemistry for the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is listed as vulnerable, with wild populations threatened by habitat loss and poaching. Clinical pathology is used to detect and monitor disease and injury, however existing reference interval (RI) studies for this species have been performed with outdated analytical methods, small sample sizes or using only managed animals. The aim of this study was to generate hematology and clinical chemistry RIs, using samples from the free-ranging elephant population in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Hematology RIs were derived from EDTA whole blood samples automatically analyzed (n = 23); manual PCV measured from 48 samples; and differential cell count results (n = 51) were included. Clinical chemistry RIs were generated from the results of automated analyzers on stored serum samples (n = 50). Reference intervals were generated according to American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines with a strict exclusion of outliers. Hematology RIs were: PCV 34–49%, RBC 2.80–3.96 × 10¹²/L, HGB 116–163 g/L, MCV 112–134 fL, MCH 35.5–45.2 pg, MCHC 314–364 g/L, PLT 182–386 × 10⁹/L, WBC 7.5–15.2 × 10⁹/L, segmented heterophils 1.5–4.0 × 10⁹/L, band heterophils 0.0–0.2 × 10⁹/L, total monocytes 3.6–7.6 × 10⁹/L (means for “regular” were 35.2%, bilobed 8.6%, round 3.9% of total leukocytes), lymphocytes 1.1–5.5 × 10⁹/L, eosinophils 0.0–0.9 × 10⁹/L, basophils 0.0–0.1 × 10⁹/L. Clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 41–55 g/L, ALP 30–122 U/L, AST 9–34 U/L, calcium 2.56–3.02 mmol/L, CK 85–322 U/L, GGT 7–16 U/L, globulin 30–59 g/L, magnesium 1.15–1.70 mmol/L, phosphorus 1.28–2.31 mmol/L, total protein 77–109 g/L, urea 1.2–4.6 mmol/L. Reference intervals were narrower than those reported in other studies. These RI will be helpful in the future management of injured or diseased elephants in national parks and zoological settings.

Impala, Aepyceros melampus, platelets: count, morphology, and morphometric observations

There is little published information regarding the platelets of impala (Aepyceros melampus). In this study we determined the platelet counts of 12 healthy adult male impalas and describe the morphology of the platelets. The platelet counts of the animals are high. Although the platelets appear to be extremely small, they have the characteristic ultrastructure of the platelets of the family Bovidae. They have few but prominent alpha-granules. Other cytoplasmic inclusions are the dense bodies, microtubules, mitochondria, and glycogen. There is no surface-connecting canalicular system present.

Sedation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) with medetomidine and the influence on some haematological and serum biochemical variables

Medetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, was tested for the sedation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) (n = 6) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) (n = 7). The effectivity of this drug and the dose required for handling, blood sampling, and minor surgery were established for both species. In addition the effect of medetomidine sedation on haematological and serum biochemical variables was studied. All animals used were clinically normal females aged approximately 1.5 years. The minimal dose required to sedate a wild boar was 80 micrograms/kg (i.m.). The induction time was 35-50 min, and the sedation time was between 40 and 55 min; however, the sedation was insufficient. The minimal dose required for red deer was 80 micrograms/kg (i.m.). Blood sampling and minor surgery could be carried out without any problem. The induction time was 21-29 min and the sedation time was between 120 and 210 min. The alpha-2 antagonist atipamezole (300 micrograms/kg) was effective in reversing sedation, with recovery occurring between 3 and 9 min. Medetomidine sedation influenced the blood composition of wild boar. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased by about 20% (P < 0.002), total serum protein content decreased slightly (P = 0.011), and the glucose concentration nearly doubled (P = 0.002).

Haematological reference values for east African wild ungulates

Basic haematological values were obtained in the field from shot, clinically normal, wild East African ungulates. The species studied were: Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsonii), Grant's gazelle (Gazella grantii), blue wildebeest (Conochaetes taurinus), Coke's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii), impala (Aepyceros melampus) and Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli). Red cell parameters compared well with previous reports although the mean cell haemoglobin concentrations were higher. The white cell counts were considerably lower in all species. The red and white cells of all species studied had standard mammalian morphology. Generally, the field equipment used worked well under the conditions encountered, although the field microscope made cell counting troublesome and the heat made the preservation of fixed slides difficult.

Time-dependent influence of some sedating agents on basic haematological values in various artio- and perissodactylids

Basic haematological values in 32 animals of five species were estimated after administration of sedating agents. In all species under investigation, a time-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts, haematocrit values and haemoglobin content was noted during the first 30 min after sedation, for the following 30 min the lowered values remained essentially without any change in zebras. Derived parameters, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular Hb concentration and mean corpuscular volume did not change during the period of observation. Only insignificant changes in leukocyte count and in the proportion of lymphocytes and neutrophiles were registered. The shortest possible time between sedation and blood sampling is recommended to minimalize a distortion especially in the red blood picture.

Basic haematological values in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) and in the red buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus)

Basic haematological values in 13 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer caffer), 11 cows and 2 bulls, and in 2 red buffaloes (Syncerus caffer nanus), 1 bull and 1 cow, are reported. In the African buffalo, the erythrocyte count--mean 9.76 X 10(12) 1(-1)--ranged from 6.72 to 12.42 X 10(12) 1(-1), the haematocrit values--mean 0.391--varied from 0.32 to 0.47 and the haemoglobin content--mean 148.17--was in the range from 122.1 to 172.5 g 1(-1). For the red buffalo only individual values are given. In the African buffaloes, the leukocyte counts--mean 7.39 X 10(9) 1(-1)--ranging from 5.1 to 12.4 X 10(9) 1(-1) were slightly increased compared with man. For the red buffalo only individual values are reported. These values are compared with data abstracted from the literature for related buffalo species. The age-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts and the age-dependent rise of the eosinophile proportion in the differential count are discussed.

Basic haematological values in antelopes--IV. A comparison and concluding remarks

Comparison of mean erythrocyte counts, mean haematocrit values, mean haemoglobin content and mean corpuscular volume of the red cell is presented for 21 species of antelopes (four species being excluded because of the small number of animals investigated). A direct relationship of haematocrit values and haemoglobin content and an inverse relationship of red cell counts and mean corpuscular volume of the erythrocytes were noted. The significance of an increased total surface area for oxygen exchange is discussed and values obtained in the red blood picture are compared with those of domesticated animals (cattle, goat and sheep) taken from the literature. Mean leukocyte counts were found to be in the human range with the exception of two species, but significantly lower than in domesticated artiodactylids. Problems in assessing the general health, the age, the effect of diet and of environment in captivity are discussed. Problems of methodology, especially of blood sampling, are given comparing results in manually restrained and in sedated animals.

Normal and clinical haematology in the yak (Bos grunniens)

Haematological examinations have been carried out on 21 clinically normal male and female adult yaks (Bos grunniens). Animals sedated with xylazine had significantly lower red cell counts, haemoglobin levels and packed cell volumes, fewer lymphocytes and higher monocyte counts than those bled while manually restrained. There were few significant sex differences. Several animals had eosinophilia associated with asymptomatic intestinal nematode infection. Haematological reference values were calculated for clinically normal, xylazine sedated and manually restrained yaks. These were used to identify haematological changes in 10 animals with various abnormal clinical signs. It was concluded that blood counts can provide valuable diagnostic information in this species.