Point-of-care blood gases and critical care blood chemistry and haematology reference values in captive gyr falcons ( Falco rusticolus )

Abstract Blood samples were obtained from a total of 94 clinically normal captive gyr falcons (Falco rusticolus) divided into two groups. The first group comprised 44 gyr falcons (35 females and 9 males). These falcons were 5 to 6 months old and were destined for the sport of falconry. The second group comprised 50 gyr falcons, (26 females and 24 males). These falcons were 2 to 9 years old and were part of the captive breeding programme at the Falcon Department, Wildlife Division, Wrsan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The samples were obtained in order to determine blood gases and critical care blood chemistry and haematology reference values in clinically normal captive gyr falcons. Blood samples were analysed using a new portable clinical analyser (PCA) (Enterprise Point of Care System, EPOC, Epocal Inc., Otawa, Canada). The values analysed included Per hydron (pH), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), sodium (Na ++), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), chloride (Cl−), glucose (Glu), lactate (Lac), haematocrit (Hct), creatinine (Crea), total carbon dioxide (cTCO2), bicarbonate (cHCO3), base excess at extracellular compartment (BE), oxygen saturation (cSO2), anion gap (AGaPK) and haemoglobin (Hgb). Statistical analysis of the data obtained was carried out and included the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean and the inner limits of the percentiles P2.5th–P97.5th with a probability of 9...
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research