Health status of free‐ranging pure and cross‐mixed miniature swine population from Northeast Spain

The crested porcupine is a widespread naturalized Italian rodent of African origin; nevertheless, very little information on the population abundance and its health status is available. In this study, the hematological and serum chemistry profile of 10 free-ranging captured crested porcupines was established for the first time. The mean hematological values resulted: 5.7 SD 0.4 M/μL for red blood cells; 13.6 SD 0.8 g/dL for hemoglobin; 77.3 SD 5.7 fL for mean corpuscular volume and 30.1 SD 4.7 g/dL for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; 14.4 SD 7.2 K/μL for white blood cells; and 557.0 SD 469.9 K/μL for platelets. The mean urea and creatinine values resulted with 19.8 SD 8.3 mg/dL and 1.6 SD 3.0 mg/dL, respectively. The mean value of total protein was 6.7 SD 1.0 g/dL, with values of albumin higher than globulins. The mean activity of creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase was 927.3 SD 607.6 U/L, 199.2 SD 70.8 U/L, 16.9 SD 13.7 U/L, and 256 SD 75.8 U/L, respectively. Highest values of alkaline phosphatase were recorded in two porcupines presenting severe injuries with clear signs of infection. These preliminary results may be a helpful tool in order to assess porcupine health status.

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Plasma electrophoresis profiles of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and influences of month, age, sex, health status, and location

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258397

Author(s):

Kirsten E. Andersson ◽

Laura Adamovicz ◽

Lauren E. Mumm ◽

Samantha E. Bradley ◽

John M. Winter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Plasma Protein ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Reproductive Activity ◽

Protein Fractions ◽

Emydoidea Blandingii ◽

Age Class ◽

Lower Protein ◽

Free Ranging

Baseline plasma electrophoresis profiles (EPH) are important components of overall health and may aid in the conservation and captive management of species. The aim of this study was to establish plasma protein fractions for free-ranging Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and evaluate differences due to age class (adult vs. sub-adult vs. juvenile), sex (male, female, or unknown), year (2018 vs. 2019), month (May vs. June vs. July), health status, and geographical location (managed vs. unmanaged sites). Blood samples were obtained from 156 Blanding’s turtles in the summer of 2018 and 129 in 2019 at two adjacent sites in Illinois. Results of the multivariate analysis demonstrated that age class, sex, year, month, health status, and geographical location all contributed to the variation observed in free-ranging populations. Adult females had the highest concentration of many protein fractions, likely associated with reproductive activity. Juveniles had lower protein concentrations. Temperature and rainfall differences between years impacted concentrations between 2018 and 2019, while May and June of both years saw higher levels in some protein fractions likely due to peak breeding and nesting season. Individuals with evidence of trauma or disease also showed increased plasma protein fractions when compared to those that were considered healthy. The two sites showed a wide/large variation over the two years. All of these factors emphasize the importance of considering multiple demographic or environmental factors when interpreting the EPH fractions. Establishing ranges for these analytes will allow investigation into disease prevalence and other environmental factors impacting this endangered species.

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Monitoring the health status of free-ranging tammar wallabies using hematology, serum biochemistry, and parasite loads

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.1002/jwmg.561 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 77 (6) ◽

pp. 1232-1243 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Kylie A. Robert ◽

Lisa E. Schwanz

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Serum Biochemistry ◽

Free Ranging

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Health status of Polychrus gutturosus based on physical examination, hematology and biochemistry parameters in Costa Rica

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10649 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10649

Author(s):

Randall Arguedas ◽

Lizbeth Ovares ◽

Viviana P. Arguedas ◽

Rodolfo Vargas ◽

Marco D. Barquero

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Physical Examination ◽

Health Assessment ◽

Baseline Data ◽

Habitat Modification ◽

The Pacific ◽

In Captivity ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Free Ranging

Studies evaluating the health status and characteristics of free-ranging wildlife populations are scarce or absent for most species. Saurian health assessments are usually performed in species that have conservation issues or that are kept in captivity. The Berthold’s bush anole (Polychrus guturossus) is one of eight species belonging to the genus Polychrus, the only representative of the family Polychrotidae. Only a handful of studies have been reported concerning these lizard’s morphological variation, ecology, and natural history, probably because P. gutturosus is a canopy dweller and it can be difficult to locate individuals. It is believed that deforestation and habitat modification could pose a threat for this species, although to date no health assessment has been done. The aim of this study was to generate health baseline data on P. gutturosus. Forty Berthold’s bush anoles (20 males and 20 females) were sampled at the Pacific versant in Costa Rica, where physical examination, skin and cloacal temperatures, and blood samples were obtained from individuals immediately after capture. Animals from the studied population were all healthy (body condition 2.5–3.0/5.0). No lesions or ectoparasites were detected, but hemoparasites were found in nine individuals. Hematological and biochemical values were obtained, and the morphology of leukocytes were found to be similar to other iguanians. A positive correlation was found between the tissue enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine kinase (CK) and a negative correlation was found between skin and cloacal temperatures and AST and CK. There were positive correlations between female weight and total protein, calcium, and the calcium and phosphorus ratio. No significant inter-sex differences were found in biochemical values, despite females being larger than males. This is the first health assessment performed on a free-ranging canopy dwelling lizard. These findings provide baseline data that may be useful for future monitoring if the species faces changes in health status due to anthropogenic causes or natural disturbances.

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The transmission and spreading routes of Aujeszky′s disease in swine population

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1103867p ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 867-874

Author(s):

J. Prodanov-Radulovic ◽

R. Dosen ◽

I. Pusic ◽

I. Stojanov ◽

D. Lupulovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Animal Species ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Transmission Mechanism ◽

Broad Host Range ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

Latently Infected ◽

Swine Population ◽

Trade Control

Aujeszky?s disease (MA) is an infectious viral disease, caused by suid alpha herpes virus 1, which displays a very broad host range, except humans and primates. Pigs are the only animal species that can survive the infection with the MA virus, which accounts for its ability to be latently infected. Although pigs are considered a natural host and the main reservoar of the virus, the spreading and transmission mechanism cannot be always detected. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the routes of transmission and spread of MA virus in the swine population with different immunological stutus i.e. depending on the vaccinal status. The material for this research consisted of the samples from four swine farms, with health disorders i.e. clinical signs suggesting MA disease. The applied research methods included: epidemiological and clinical evaluation, pathomorphological examination, virology testing of tissues originating from the dead animals and serological testing in order to evaluate the specific antibodies against MA. The obtained results indicate that purchasing breeding animals with different or unknown health status regarding MA, represents the main route of transmission and spreading of the infection. Besides vaccination, which represents one of the measure in MA eradication, it is necessary to apply strict trade control and checking the health status of herds from where breeding animals are purchased.

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