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1 March 2015 HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY RESCUED FORMOSAN PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA PENTADACTYLA)
Shih-Chien Chin, Chen-Yah Lien, Yating Chan, Chun-Lin Chen, Yi-Ching Yang, Lih-Seng Yeh
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Natural habitats of pangolins are rapidly deteriorating because of extensive farming, logging, and human construction activities. In addition, the illegal trading of pangolins substantially accelerated the decline of the pangolins' population in southeastern Asia. The maintenance of confiscated pangolins in rescue centers is currently a daunting task for veterinarians and conservation biologists. There is limited information in the literature about the reference values regarding the physiology of pangolins. The purpose of this study is to establish reliable hematologic and serum biochemical reference values for the Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla). Blood samples were collected from 51 apparently healthy pangolins from a population of 117 rescued pangolins at the Taipei Zoo. Sex-related differences were observed in platelet count, alanine aminotransferase level, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and total protein level. Age-related differences were also noted; juveniles have significantly higher platelet counts and alkaline phosphatase levels than their adult counter parts. The hematologic and serum biochemical reference values for the Formosan pangolin presented in this study can be applied in the medical care of this important species during rescue attempts. It is the first systematic report of blood parameters of apparently healthy pangolins and provides a basis for future investigation of this species. The reference values reported in this study may also be applicable to other pangolin species in the genus Manis.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Shih-Chien Chin, Chen-Yah Lien, Yating Chan, Chun-Lin Chen, Yi-Ching Yang, and Lih-Seng Yeh "HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY RESCUED FORMOSAN PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA PENTADACTYLA)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 46(1), 68-76, (1 March 2015). https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0104R4.1
Received: 24 May 2013; Published: 1 March 2015
KEYWORDS
biochemistry
Formosan pangolin
hematology
Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla
parameter
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