Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural and Animal Production, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico

2 Department of Biology, Autonomous Metropolitan University, Iztapalapa, Iztapalapa, Mexico

3 Department of Biology, Autónomos University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Abstract

This work described and compared the hematological findings of 25 clinically healthy Harris’s hawks(Parabuteo unicinctus) in captivity at two different tropical locations: 16 samples from Aguascalientes, which altitude is 1878 mean sea level, and nine samples from Amecameca which altitude is 2650 mean sea level. Blood samples were collected from the brachial vein of each raptor under physical restraint. Significant differences between the two locations were found in some parameters including total, erythrocytes, heterophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. When the results were compared to the reference values, the population of Amecameca showed decreased values of hematocrit (32.21 ± 13.72%), hemoglobin (107.40 ± 45.60 g L-1) and erythrocytes (1.98 ± 0.63 ×1012 per µL). This work contributed to the knowledge of variations in blood parameters of clinically healthy captive Harris`s hawks at different tropical locations and sex. The information will enable clinicians to provide appropriate veterinary diagnostics and care to ensure the health and welfare of raptors kept in captivity.

Keywords

  1.  

    1. Johnsgard PA. Hawks, eagles and falcons of North America: Biology and natural history. 1st ed. Lincoln, USA: Smithsonian Institution Press 1990; 408.
    2. Campbell TW. Peripheral blood of birds. In: Campbell TW ed. Exotic animal hematology and cytology. 4th ed. Hoboken, USA: John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2015; 37-66.
    3. Doneley B. Avian medicine and surgery in practice, companion and aviary birds. 2nd ed. Queensland, Australia: CRC Press 2011; 467.
    4. van den Brand JMA, Verhagen JH, Kroeze EJBV, et al., Wild ducks excrete highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 (2014–2015) without clinical or patho-logical evidence of disease. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7(1):67. doi: 10.1038/s41426-018-0070-9.
    5. Black PA, McRuer DL, Horne LA. Hematologic parameters in raptor species in a rehabilitation setting before release. J Avian Med Surg 2011; 25(3):192-198.
    6. Monks DJ, Forbes NA. Hematology. In: Bird DM, Bildstein KL (Eds). Raptor research and management techniques. 1st ed. Blaine, USA: Hancock House Publishers 2007; 278-285.
    7. Parga ML, Pendl H, Forbes NA. The effect of transport on hematologic parameters in trained and untrained Harris’s Hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) and Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus). J Avian Med Surg 2001; 15(3):162-169.
    8. Schmidt EM, Lange RR, Ribas JM, et al. Hematology of the red-capped parrot (Pionopsitta pileata) and Vinaceous Amazon parrot (Amazona vinacea) in captivity. J Zoo Wildl Med 2009; 40(1):15-17.
    9. Donoso CS. Hematological changes in birds and mammals with different energy requirements and their relationship with the oxygen diffusion capacity in the lung. Thesis. University of Chile. 2011.
    10. Solari G, Tribeño D, Navarro Z, et al. Hematological parameters of the "blue-headed macaw" Primolius couloni (Psittacidae) in captivity Rev Inv Vet Perú 2011; 22(1):22-27.
    11. Galvez CF, Ramírez GF, Osorio JH. The clinic laboratory in hematology of exotic bird. SBiosalud 2009; 8(1): 178-188.
    12. De la Luz M, Noriega CH. Manual of avian hematology. 1st ed. University City, Mexico. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics. National Autonomous University of Mexico. 2004; 75.
    13. Franco-G M, Hoyos-M L, Ramirez GF, et al. Hemato-logical findings and blood chemistry in Amazona amazonica and Amazona ochrocephala captive in the Torre Cuatro forest reserve. Bol Cient Mus Hist Nat 2009; 13(2): 63-77.
    14. Han JI, Jang HJ, Na KJ. Hematologic and serum bio-chemical reference intervals of the Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) and the application of an automatic hematologic analyzer. J Vet Sci 2016; 17(3): 399-405.
    15. Natt MP, Herrick CA. A new blood diluent for counting the erythrocytes and leucocytes of the chicken. Poult Sci1952; 31(4): 735-738.
    16. Hammer Ø, Harper DAT, Ryan PD. PAST: Paleonto-logical statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontol Electronica 2001; 4(1): 1-9.
    17. Cray C. Reference intervals in avian and exotic hematology. Vet Clin North AmExot Anim Pract2015; 18(1):105-116.