BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND HEMATOLOGY VALUES IN HEALTHY AND REHABILITATED ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS ( STENO BREDANENSIS)

Area of Science:

• Marine Mammal Health
• Veterinary Hematology
• Conservation Medicine

Background:

• Rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals relies on blood diagnostics.
• Lack of established reference values for rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) hinders health status assessment.
• Previous studies have not provided comprehensive hematological and serum chemistry data for this species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish reference ranges for blood chemistry and hematology parameters in rough-toothed dolphins.
• To compare blood parameters between healthy, released, and deceased rehabilitation cases.
• To identify key diagnostic indicators for assessing the health and prognosis of rough-toothed dolphins.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of serum/plasma chemistry and hematology data from 17 rough-toothed dolphins.
• Data collected from animals housed at Dolphin Quest French Polynesia and the Dolphin and Whale Hospital, Sarasota, Florida (1994-2005).
• Comparison of blood parameters across three groups: healthy, released rehabilitation, and deceased rehabilitation.

Main Results:

• Significant differences observed in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, bicarbonate, and globulins (higher in sick dolphins).
• Alkaline phosphatase and total protein were higher in healthy individuals.
• Total white blood cell counts, neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils were lower in healthy animals.
• Initial glucose, sodium, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels showed potential for triage and prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Established reference values for rough-toothed dolphin blood parameters are critical for health assessment.
• Specific blood markers can effectively distinguish between healthy and sick individuals.
• Early analysis of glucose, sodium, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate may aid in immediate patient evaluation and outcome prediction.