Haematological and clinical biochemistry findings in captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)
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G Villouta1, R Hargreaves, V Rtveros
1Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Haematological and clinical biochemistry values were determined in 15 healthy Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) captured at Isla de Cachagua, V Region, Chile and maintained at the Metropolitan Zoo of Santiago, Chile. Blood samples were obtained at 3 days and 3, 7 and 15 weeks post-capture. The confinement did not affect the red blood cell parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCHC, P<0.05). Slight changes in the absolute number of heterophils and lymphocytes were observed. Albumin, fibrinogen and glucose values did not change while total plasma proteins and globulin increased significantly (P<0.05) between 3 and 7 weeks post-capture. Aspartate aminotransferase increased (P<0.05) between 3 days and 15 weeks post-capture. The haematological and blood chemistry values of the Humboldt penguins showed some differences compared to the values for other species of penguins reported in the literature.
Haematological and clinical biochemistry values were determined in 15 healthy Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) captured at Isla de Cachagua, V Region, Chile and maintained at the Metropolitan Zoo of Santiago, Chile. Blood samples were obtained at 3 days and 3, 7 and 15 weeks post-capture. The confinement did not affect the red blood cell parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCHC, P<0.05). Slight changes in the absolute number of heterophils and lymphocytes were observed. Albumin, fibrinogen and glucose values did not change while total plasma proteins and globulin increased significantly (P<0.05) between 3 and 7 weeks post-capture. Aspartate aminotransferase increased (P<0.05) between 3 days and 15 weeks post-capture. The haematological and blood chemistry values of the Humboldt penguins showed some differences compared to the values for other species of penguins reported in the literature.
