Hematology, Serum Chemistry, and Body Mass of Free-Ranging and Captive Canada Lynx in Minnesota

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Baseline blood chemistry data could be particularly valuable if reference values from free-ranging populations of rare or endangered species are not available. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in the conterminous United States, even though the species is managed as a furbearer in Alaska and in most provinces of Canada. Body mass, blood chemistry, and hematologic data for free-ranging lynx were collected from 2003 to 2007 and for captive lynx from 1984 to 2007. Up to 2 yr of age, captive lynx were consistently heavier than free-ranging lynx. Body mass of adult free-ranging lynx was similar to body mass of captive adult lynx. Some differences in blood chemistry between free-ranging and captive lynx were statistically significant, but most measured values were within reference ranges for domestic cats. Free-ranging lynx had higher concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen than did captive lynx, and these were outside the reference value ranges for domestic cats. Alkaline phosphatase and phosphorus were higher in juveniles (,12 mo when captured) as compared to adults. Free-ranging lynx maintained body mass between serial captures. Hematologic values, blood chemistry values, and body mass of freeranging Canada lynx provide support for the hypothesis that Canada lynx in Minnesota, at the southern edge of their range, are in normal physical condition.

Haematology and biochemistry values of captive sand cats (Felis margarita) in Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, United Arab Emirates

“…These findings are consistent with findings of a previous study of Canada lynx where they found males were heavier than females [4] . The difference in weights between males and females could be explained by high androgen levels in males.…”

“…Further, they can be very useful in monitoring prognosis following treatment. However, there are few baseline haematologic and serum chemistry values for small free-ranging felids in the literature, which means that, at present, domestic cats values are used as a reference [4] . This is in spite of the fact that the values might not be similar in different felid species.…”

“…The sand cats at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, United Arab Emirates are kept for conservation purposes. Haematological and biochemical analyses can be used in diagnosis of malnutrition, disease or health problems in specific individuals or across the population [4] . Further, they can be very useful in monitoring prognosis following treatment.…”

The method matters: The effect of handling time on cortisol level and blood parameters in wild cats

“…At present, for 17 of the 38 wild cat species blood profiles have been obtained and described in scientific literature (Akuzawa, Mochizuki, & Yasuda, ; Brown, Lappin, Brown, Munkhtsog, & Swanson, ; Caro et al., ; Dunbar, Nol, & Linda, ; Erasmus, ; Kocan, Blouin, & Glenn, ; Marco, Martinez, Pastor, & Lavin, ; Prihirunkit, Salakij, Apibal, & Narkkong, ; Salakij, Salakij, Narkkong, Sirinarumitr, & Pattanarangsan, ,b, b, , , and others). However, blood profiles can be influenced significantly by the sampling procedure, including capture method, type of anesthesia, and time to blood collection (Moen, Rasmussen, Burdett, & Pelican, ; Serieys et al., ).…”

“…Capturing wild cats is a labor‐consuming procedure, not standardized, and may include trapping, chasing, capturing with the nets, darting with anesthetic drugs and other methods depending on cat species and study place (in the wild or captivity) (Beltrán, Delibes, Recio, & Aza, ; Caro et al., ; Dunbar et al., ; Naidenko, Pavlova, & Kirilyuk, , ; Salakij, Salakij, Prihirunkit, Narkkong, & Pitakkingthong, ). The common procedure of collecting blood samples (handling time) in wild cats can be extremely stressful and implies the immobilization of animals with capture and anesthesia up to an hour both in captivity and in the wild (Akuzawa et al., ; Brown et al., ; Marco et al., ; Moen et al., ). Nevertheless, it is known that the basal glucocorticoid level must be sampled within 3 min of capture in birds and reptiles, after that, it increases dramatically (Loshchagina, Tsvey, & Naidenko, ; Romero & Reed, ).…”