Normal and clinical haematology of captive cranes (Gruiformes)

Fall blood counts on 56 clinically normal cranes of nine different species have provided reference values for the interpretation of haematological changes in 13 cranes presenting with abnormal clinical signs. Hypochromic anaemia, heterophilia and lymphocytosis were found in birds with probable Mycobacterium avium infection and heterophilia and lymphocytosis in birds with bumblefoot, arthritis, nephrosis and cardiac myopathy. In several of the cases with heterophilia and lymphocytosis the fibrinogen level was also raised. A senile bird with thickened heart valves showed macrocytosis. The potential diagnostic value of clinical haematology in cranes is discussed.