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1 October 2013 HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE RANGES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES PRIOR TO TRANSLOCATION OF THE THREATENED WESTERN RINGTAIL POSSUM (PSEUDOCHEIRUS OCCIDENTALIS)
Judy Clarke, Kristin Warren, Michael Calver, Paul de Tores, Jennifer Mills, Ian Robertson
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Health screening of animals before translocation is important to minimize the risk of pathogen transmission between sites and species. Reintroduction has been incorporated into management of the endangered western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) to mitigate for habitat loss within the species' core range in southwestern Australia. Between November 2005 and March 2008 we screened 47 wild and 24 captive P. occidentalis and 68 sympatric common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula hypoleucus) for infectious diseases that might compromise possum survival or fecundity at translocation sites. We found no evidence that infectious disease limits translocation success, and neither possum species showed evidence of infection with Salmonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Leptospira spp., or Chlamydophila spp. Antigen of Cryptococcus gattii was detected in one T. v. hypoleucus but was not of pathologic significance. Hematologic and serum biochemical reference ranges were determined for 81 wild and 24 captive P. occidentalis. Site differences were identified for red blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin, urea, and globulin, suggesting that habitat quality or nutrient intake may vary among sites. Differences between wild and captive values were found for several parameters. These data are useful for health evaluations of injured P. occidentalis and the future monitoring of wild populations.

Wildlife Disease Association 2013
Judy Clarke, Kristin Warren, Michael Calver, Paul de Tores, Jennifer Mills, and Ian Robertson "HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE RANGES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES PRIOR TO TRANSLOCATION OF THE THREATENED WESTERN RINGTAIL POSSUM (PSEUDOCHEIRUS OCCIDENTALIS)," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 49(4), 831-840, (1 October 2013). https://doi.org/10.7589/2011-12-345
Received: 5 December 2011; Accepted: 1 February 2013; Published: 1 October 2013
KEYWORDS
biochemistry
Cryptococcus
hematology
possums
Pseudocheirus occidentalis
Toxoplasma
translocation
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