Despite the devastating collapse of three vulture populations on the Asian subcontinent as a result of their exposure to diclofenac, there is little available information on the normal physiology of many vulture species, including the African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). Such information is needed to fully understand mechanisms for toxicity and to identify and prevent future health problems. The aim of this study was to establish baseline parameters for hematologic and selected serum chemistry parameters for this model species for further studies into the toxicity of diclofenac. Captive nonreleasable and wild African White-backed Vultures were used to determine reference values. For hematology, erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and total and differential leukocyte counts were measured. Chemical analytes measured included sodium, potassium, calcium, albumin, and globulin concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and alanine aminotransferase activities. Uric acid and urea concentrations and the urea:uric acid ratio also were evaluated. Values are presented as means, standard deviations, and reference intervals. The serum chemistry parameters selected may provide a starting point for the evaluation of changes in renal and hepatic function; these organ systems are most severely affected by diclofenac. Results were also compared with values reported for G. africanus nestlings, and from these results it is evident that the clinical pathologic parameters are age related. This indicates that the use of nestling values for the evaluation of clinical pathologic findings in adults may be unreliable and could lead to incorrect assumptions.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
CLINICAL PATHOLOGY|
July 01 2008
ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECTED BASELINE BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN CAPTIVE AND WILD-CAUGHT AFRICAN WHITE-BACKED VULTURES (GYPS AFRICANUS)
V. Naidoo;
V. Naidoo
4
1 Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
4 Corresponding author (email: vinny.naidoo@up.ac.za)
Search for other works by this author on:
M. Diekmann;
M. Diekmann
2 Rare and Endangered Species Trust, Namibia
Search for other works by this author on:
K. Wolters;
K. Wolters
3 DeWildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
G. E. Swan
G. E. Swan
1 Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Search for other works by this author on:
J Wildl Dis (2008) 44 (3): 649–654.
Article history
Received:
March 06 2007
Citation
V. Naidoo, M. Diekmann, K. Wolters, G. E. Swan; ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECTED BASELINE BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN CAPTIVE AND WILD-CAUGHT AFRICAN WHITE-BACKED VULTURES (GYPS AFRICANUS). J Wildl Dis 1 July 2008; 44 (3): 649–654. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-44.3.649
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF HYDRATED LIME ON THE SCAVENGING OF FERAL SWINE (SUS SCROFA) CARCASSES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGING CARCASS-BASED TRANSMISSION OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS
Courtney F. Bowden, James Grinolds, Gregory Franckowiak, Lorna McCallister, Joseph Halseth, Matthew Cleland, Travis Guerrant, Michael Bodenchuk, Robert Miknis, Michael C. Marlow, Vienna R. Brown
Fatal Systemic Haemosporidiosis in a Free-ranging Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
Deborah L. A. Chong, Brittany McHale, Kayla B. Garrett, Michael J. Yabsley
Tacheng Tick Virus 1 and Songling Virus Infection in Great Gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in Northwestern China
Na Ji, Nan Wang, Gang Liu, Shanshan Zhao, Zhiqiang Liu, Wenbo Tan, Shiyi Wang, Jinjiang Sheng, Fengshi Li, Yuanzhi Wang
Disease Surveillance of Cougars (Puma concolor) in Utah, USA
Annette Roug, Kristin Engebretsen, Arnaud van Wettere, Julie K. Young
Trypanosoma cruzi Survey in Poached Pichis (Zaedyus pichiy; Mammalia, Cingulata) from Mendoza, Argentina
Melisa E. Morales, Catalina Muñoz-San Martín, Pedro E. Cattan, Mariella Superina