Hematologic and serum biochemical data collected must be interpreted by comparison with normal reference intervals generated from healthy animals, within a similar population, because many blood parameters are influenced by diet, environment, and stress. Species-specific reference intervals for the endangered island fox (Urocyon littoralis) are not available. We reviewed hematology and serum biochemistry panels from 280 island foxes sampled from 1999–2008 and established normal reference intervals from clinically healthy foxes using a nonparametric approach. Blood parameters were analyzed for differences in age, sex, island of origin, and captivity status. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase activities, as well as calcium and phosphorus concentrations, were significantly higher in juveniles than in adults, but total protein and globulin concentration was lower for juveniles than for adults. Lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, in foxes from the northern Channel islands of California, USA (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel) were higher when compared with foxes from Santa Catalina Island to the south. Higher lymphocyte and eosinophil numbers in the northern island foxes may be associated with increased levels of parasitism on the northern islands. Differences in BUN concentration in both free-ranging and captive foxes may reflect dietary differences among islands. Although aggressive conservation programs have been enacted, island foxes are still susceptible to infectious and neoplastic diseases and, potentially, to toxins. Island fox species-specific reference intervals will enable managers and veterinarians to better care for sick and injured foxes and will contribute to future population health monitoring.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
CONSERVATION MEDICINE|
July 01 2012
BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGIC REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR THE ENDANGERED ISLAND FOX (UROCYON LITTORALIS)
Hiromi Inoue;
Hiromi Inoue
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, California 95616, USA
6 Current Address: Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Comparative Pathology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Deana L. Clifford;
Deana L. Clifford
7
1 Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, California 95616, USA
2 California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Investigations Lab, 1701 Nimbus Rd., Rancho Cordova, California 95670, USA
7 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
Search for other works by this author on:
T. Winston Vickers;
T. Winston Vickers
3 Institute for Wildlife Studies, PO Box 1104, Arcata, California 95518, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Timothy J. Coonan;
Timothy J. Coonan
4 National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, California 93001, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
David K. Garcelon;
David K. Garcelon
3 Institute for Wildlife Studies, PO Box 1104, Arcata, California 95518, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Dori L. Borjesson
Dori L. Borjesson
5 Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, California 95616, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
J Wildl Dis (2012) 48 (3): 583–592.
Article history
Received:
August 22 2011
Accepted:
March 05 2012
Citation
Hiromi Inoue, Deana L. Clifford, T. Winston Vickers, Timothy J. Coonan, David K. Garcelon, Dori L. Borjesson; BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGIC REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR THE ENDANGERED ISLAND FOX (UROCYON LITTORALIS). J Wildl Dis 1 July 2012; 48 (3): 583–592. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.3.583
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) of the Chesapeake Bay, USA
Johanna Harvey, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Rebecca L. Poulson, Deborah L. Carter, Cindy P. Driscoll, Peter C. McGowan, Carl R. Callahan, Amy W. O’Donnell, Jennifer M. Mullinax, David E. Stallknecht, Diann J. Prosser
Hematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Protein Electrophoresis, and Pathogen Surveillance in Headstarted and Wild-Reared Populations of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Three Northern Illinois, USA, Counties
Alexis Davidson, Michelle W. Kendall, Maura Ryan, Kayla Ladez, Samantha Bradley, Carley Lionetto, William Graser, Gary Glowacki, Daniel Thompson, Richard B. King, Callie K. Golba, Kaitlin Moorhead, Laura Adamovicz, Matthew C. Allender
Are Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) the Family Scapegoats? A Systematic Review of Canine Distemper Virus in African Wildlife, 1978–2021
Shaleen K. S. Angwenyi, Nicola J. Rooney, Mark C. Eisler
Evaluation of RT-QuIC Diagnostic Performance for Chronic Wasting Disease Detection Using Elk (Cervus canadensis) Ear Punches
Damani N. Bryant, Roxanne J. Larsen, Kristin J. Bondo, Andrew S. Norton, Andrew J. Lindbloom, Steven L. Griffin, Peter A. Larsen, Tiffany M. Wolf, Stuart S. Lichtenberg
Serologic Evidence of Exposure to Leishmania infantum in Captive and Free-Ranging European Bison (Bison bonasus) in Poland, 2017–23
Anna Didkowska, Víctor Martín-Santander, Marlena Wojciechowska, Wanda Olech, Krzysztof Anusz, Antonio Fernández, Janine E. Davies, Marta Ruíz de Arcaute, Delia Lacasta, Sergio Villanueva-Saz, Diana Marteles