BIOLOGICAL VARIATION OF HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY PARAMETERS FOR THE ASIAN ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS), AND APPLICABILITY OF POPULATION-DERIVED REFERENCE INTERVALS

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2020 Nov;51(3):643-651. doi: 10.1638/2020-0007.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the biological variation of healthy Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) hematology and biochemistry parameters, therefore enabling evidence-based clinical decision-making to improve patient management. Ten clinically healthy elephants had blood samples collected weekly for 5 wk under standardized conditions. The analytical, between- and within-individual variation, index of individuality, and reference change values were calculated using previously reported methods. Large between-individual variation and small within-individual variation for almost all parameters indicated that individual normal values should be used for interpreting blood results from Asian elephants.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo / blood
  • Biological Variation, Individual*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
  • Elephants / blood*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Tests / veterinary
  • Male
  • Ontario
  • Reference Values