Hematology and serum biochemistry values in adult racoon dogs and foxes in Changli farms of Hebei Province, China
Keywords:
Blood serum biochemistry, silver fox (Vulpes fulva), hematology, raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).Abstract
This study examined 41 hematology and serum biochemistry status of adult raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes
procyonoides, n = 20) and silver foxes (Vulpes fulva, n = 20), living in the farms of Hebei Province. These values
were compared between sexes of each kind animal and between raccoon dogs and foxes. The results showed
that genders and species influenced the hematology and serum biochemistry values. Specifically, female foxes
had higher (P < 0.05) eosinopil counts and chloride content, and lower (P < 0.05) glucose content than males.
Female raccoon dogs had lower (P < 0.05) glutamyltransferase activity and higher (P < 0.05) contents of
creatinine and triglyceride (TG) than males. For leukocyte counts, mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell
haemoglobin (MCH) values were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in raccoon dogs when compared with the foxes.
However, erythrocyte count of foxes was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of raccoon dogs. The activities
of amylase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltransferase (GGT), and the contents of
total protein, globulin, uric acid, triglyceride, potassium, and sodium were significantly higher in raccoon dogs
than those in foxes (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). While, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline
phosphatase and the contents of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, magnesium and total cholesterol were
significantly higher in foxes than that in raccoon dogs.
