Hemograms and microscopic lesions of herring gulls during captivity

Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) kept in captivity for a maximum of 28 days developed marked heterophilia and nonregenerative anemia. These hematologic findings remained abnormal throughout captivity. Concurrently, severe amyloid deposition was seen in vessel walls of the spleen and in other tissues, and vacuolar degeneration of catecholamine-producing cells of the adrenal glands was found in gulls necropsied at various intervals. Behavioral signs of stress were seen in the early stages of captivity, but were not seen in most gulls after day 3. Clinical signs referable to the microscopic lesions were not observed in this study. Therefore, gulls brought into captivity appear to adapt behaviorally, but maintain severe microscopic lesions and an abnormal hemogram.