Analysis of Blood Biochemistry of Free Ranging and Human-Managed Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) Using the i-STAT Alinity v®

Abstract

Handheld point-of-care blood analyzers deliver rapid results for biochemical and hematologic parameters, making them very useful in veterinary clinics and in fieldwork applications. This study compared the biochemical and hematologic parameters generated by the novel point-of-care analyzer i-STAT® Alinity V CHEM8+ cartridge between human-managed and free ranging populations of southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). In addition, a novel reference interval for ionized calcium (iCa), a parameter of diagnostic and prognostic importance, was established for southern white rhinoceros. Blood samples were obtained from 10 managed (6 at NC Zoo and 4 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2019) and 30 free ranging white rhinoceros (collected in South Africa between 2018 and 2019) and analyzed using the i-STAT. Multiple parameters were higher ( P < 0.05 ) in free ranging versus managed animals including potassium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Conversely, iCa concentrations were higher ( P < 0.05 ) in the managed populations of white rhinoceros. The RI determined for iCa was 1.36–1.56 mmol/L, with a mean of 1.46 mmol/L, and was determined using the guidelines from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. There was no difference in anion gap, chlorine, total carbon dioxide, or sodium between the populations. Seasonality and locality of sampling as well as diet may be contributing factors to the higher iCa concentrations in managed rhinoceros. The six elevated parameters in free ranging rhinoceros are likely attributable to dehydration compounded by capture stress. This data provides insight into the state of several biochemical and hematologic parameters in southern white rhinoceros and will allow veterinarians to better assess the health of both managed and free ranging populations.

Arterial Blood Gases and Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Etorphine-Medetomidine-Midazolam Immobilized Free-Ranging and Game-Farmed Southern White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) Undergoing Electro-Ejaculation

“…Differences in blood electrolyte and Crea concentrations likely reflected differences in hydration and nutritional status of the animals ( 50 ). Higher iCa concentrations in the game-farmed than in the free-ranging animals conforms with the findings of a previous report ( 51 ). However, significant differences in Na, Cl and iCa between Group 2 and 3 (game-farmed animals under same environmental conditions) may be related to the immobilization protocol.…”

Performance of a manually operated salad spinner centrifuge for serum separation in the healthy domestic horse (Equus caballus) and southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)

“…6 Alternatively, battery-operated point-of-care analyzers that measure analytes in whole blood rather than serum have been used for biochemical testing in field settings; however, each machine must be validated for each species, which may not be practical. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Disadvantages of battery-operated devices include machine weight and bulk, which may preclude use in remote areas inaccessible to motorized vehicles, as well as the need for functional batteries. Temperature requirements for storage of reagent cartridges or rotors (2-8°C) and instrument operation (~15-30°C) may further limit their use in field conditions.…”

“…7,15,16 Lastly, the variety of analytes that portable instruments can measure is more restricted than what can be measured in serum at a diagnostic or research laboratory (eg, hormones, acute phase proteins, biomarkers). 7,8,[10][11][12][13][14] To increase accessibility to diagnostic medical testing in resource-poor conditions, scientists and engineers in the area of "frugal science" are developing inexpensive alternatives to traditional laboratory equipment. One approach has been to modify simple machines and toys, including salad spinners, fidget spinners, and egg beaters, to centrifuge low-volume samples, such as blood in microhematocrit tubes, to measure PCV.…”

“…[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Unfortunately, although we have hematologic data from both human-managed and wild rhinoceros species, there is a paucity of biochemistry data from wild rhinoceros populations, at least partially due to lack of access to traditional laboratory equipment in remote field settings. 9, 13,24,25,32 The objective of the study was to develop an inexpensive manual centrifugation method capable of separating serum that could be used for future field applications. We modified a consumer-grade salad spinner using inexpensive and readily accessible materials to securely hold standard laboratory tubes.…”

“…The Dremelfuge uses a high‐speed battery‐operated rotary tool (eg, Dremel) and fabricated rotor attachment that can accept microcentrifuge tubes 6 . Alternatively, battery‐operated point‐of‐care analyzers that measure analytes in whole blood rather than serum have been used for biochemical testing in field settings; however, each machine must be validated for each species, which may not be practical 7–14 . Disadvantages of battery‐operated devices include machine weight and bulk, which may preclude use in remote areas inaccessible to motorized vehicles, as well as the need for functional batteries.…”