Hematology and biochemistry reference values for the ranch fox

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Comparative Hematology
• Animal Biochemistry

Background:

• Establishing reference ranges is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation in animal health.
• Farmed fox populations, particularly silver (Vulpes vulpes) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), lack comprehensive hematological and biochemical reference data.
• Existing data may not accurately reflect foxes managed under specific farming conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine and present reference hematology and biochemistry values for a population of farmed silver and red foxes.
• To provide a foundational dataset for clinicians and researchers evaluating the health of similar fox populations.
• To aid in the interpretation of diagnostic test results in foxes.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 30 clinically healthy silver and red foxes of both sexes under controlled farming conditions in southern Ontario.
• Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed.
• Data underwent outlier examination and Gaussian distribution analysis, with transformations applied as necessary. Parametric analysis was used to establish reference limits; minimum and maximum values were reported for non-Gaussian data.

Main Results:

• Reference hematology and biochemistry values were established for the studied fox population.
• Data were analyzed to account for distribution, providing both parametric reference limits and minimum/maximum values where applicable.
• The study presents a first approximation of population reference values.

Conclusions:

• The established reference values serve as a valuable tool for veterinary diagnostics in farmed foxes.
• This study contributes essential baseline data for the health assessment of silver and red foxes in agricultural settings.
• The findings support improved clinical decision-making and research accuracy for fox populations.