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)

Abstract

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.

Hematologic and Biochemical Reference Values of the Australian Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes)

“…Food was provided ad libitum, but they did not necessarily eat well. Glucose, ALT, AST, and CK can also be elevated in excited or acutely stressed animals (Jain 1993;Thrall et al 2006;Clarke et al 2013), which is more likely when restraining wild-caught animals than those habituated to captivity. Differences in processing and analysis may also have some effect.…”

Physiological biomarkers of Hendra virus infection in Australian Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.)

“…While ALT activity tends to be relatively specific to hepatic parenchymal cells, AST is found in a wide range of tissues, including the liver, heart, brain, skeletal muscle and erythrocytes. Whilst elevated AST can be an indicator of capture myopathy (Clarke et al 2013), a concomitant elevation in creatinine kinase (CK) is also expected in such situations and was not seen in this study. The magnitude of difference between age cohort levels of AST was relatively modest, whereas in situations of tissue insult, this enzyme would be expected to be elevated several-fold, and hence it is most likely that the higher AST and ALT values in the juvenile cohort were representative of physiologic status and altered enzyme activity related to growth.…”

“…Although sex 76 differences in red cell counts are common in animals, with males usually having higher values (Clarke et al 2013), no significant differences between sexes was found, apart from lower values in mating males which may indicate the high demand of mating. Total protein, albumin and globulin levels for lactating females tended to be low-normal, consistent with the expected higher physiological demand during reproductive life cycles.…”

“…Ruykys et al (2012), compared the health status of wild and captive populations of warru (Petrogale lateralis); Clarke et al (2013), assessed the health of threatened western ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) prior to translocation; and Pacioni et al (2013), assessed the population health of woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi). Similar approaches will be useful in assessing the health of Australian flying-foxes in order to understand and meaningfully interpret population health in ecological and epidemiological contexts.…”

“…The study of hematologic and biochemical values has been employed to describe the health status of many wildlife species. Ruykys et al (2012), compared the health status of wild and captive populations of warru (Petrogale lateralis) suggesting that some populations had a 38 lower plane of nutrition and absence of reliable free water; Clarke et al (2013), assessed the health of threatened western ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) prior to translocation; and Pacioni et al (2013), assessed the population health of woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi).…”