Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2017 , Vol 23 , Issue 4
Hematologic and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand
JANYAMETHAKUL T1, SRIPIBOON S1, SOMGIRD C1, PONGSOPAWIJIT P1, PANYAPORNWITHAYA V3, KLINHOM S1, LOYTHONG J4, THITARAM C1
1Center of Excellence in Elephant Research and Education, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, THAILAND
2Department of Companion Animals and Wildlife Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, THAILAND
3Department of Food Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, THAILAND
4Heamatology Laboratory of Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, THAILAND
DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2017.17380 Species specific blood value reference intervals are needed for the proper diagnosis, and treatment of disease, appropriate for specific populations, because age, sex, management, exercise and geographical location can all affect hematological values. The aim of this study was to establish a set of hematology and blood chemistry reference intervals for captive Asian elephants. Blood samples were collected from 149 healthy Asian elephants in 15 tourist camps in Northern Thailand. Hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. The results showed similarity of haematological and blood chemistry range to others previously published. There were no sex differences for most hematological parameters except some parameters were different i.e. MCV, MCHC, BUN, AST, and ALP. The hematology and blood chemistry reference intervals of our study can be used as the reference for hematological analysis in Thailand, and several Asian elephant range countries and zoos. Keywords : Asian elephant, Blood parameter, Blood chemistry, Hematology, Reference intervals