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26 September 2022 CLINICOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION OF AN EX SITU POPULATION OF ADULT AFRICAN WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLIN (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS)
Lauren P. Kane, Copper Aitken-Palmer, Sara Sokolik, Nicole I. Stacy, Michael J. Adkesson, Sathya K. Chinnadurai, Jennifer N. Langan, Laura Adamovicz, Matthew C. Allender
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Abstract

Death due to illegal trade and trafficking serves as the largest threat to pangolins in their geographic range countries. Appropriate veterinary care is essential to the welfare of sick or debilitated pangolins. Given the challenge of comprehensive physical examination of this species due to its unique anatomic features and poorly studied physiology, laboratory diagnostics can provide essential information to guide appropriate medical care. This retrospective study included previously analyzed blood and urine samples collected from adult (n = 17) African white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) under managed care that were sampled over a 4-yr period as part of routine veterinary examinations. Samples from clinically normal animals were used to summarize results for this species. Pangolins had a lymphocyte-predominant leukogram with a mean neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio of 0.83 (min–max: 0.13–4.81). Seasonal, sex, and age differences were present for several hematologic and serum biochemical analytes. Urine samples had a median urine specific gravity (USG) of 1.040 (min–max: 1.006–1.060), a neutral-to-basic urine pH (6.0–8.6), and contained mainly struvite crystals or infrequently calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals. Winter samples had higher USG than summer samples. The clinicopathologic data provided herein offers applicable information useful for the clinical management of pangolins.

Copyright 2022 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Lauren P. Kane, Copper Aitken-Palmer, Sara Sokolik, Nicole I. Stacy, Michael J. Adkesson, Sathya K. Chinnadurai, Jennifer N. Langan, Laura Adamovicz, and Matthew C. Allender "CLINICOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION OF AN EX SITU POPULATION OF ADULT AFRICAN WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLIN (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 53(3), 551-560, (26 September 2022). https://doi.org/10.1638/2021-0055
Accepted: 5 April 2022; Published: 26 September 2022
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