Abstract:
Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked non-human mammals. A significant number
of Temminck’s pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) are presented for veterinary care and
rehabilitation in southern Africa. Little is known about the physiology and normal health
of this species, making diagnosis and medical management difficult. This study aimed
to establish reference intervals (RIs) for hematology and plasma clinical chemistry in
the Temminck’s pangolin. RIs were generated according to international guidelines
using samples from 27 healthy free-living (n = 18) and rehabilitated (n = 9)
pangolins. Hematology was performed using the Abaxis VetScan HM5 analyzer with
manual differentials; clinical chemistry was performed using heparin plasma on the
Abaxis VetScan VS2 and Cobas Integra 400 Plus analyzers. Hematology RIs were:
RBC 3.88–8.31 × 1012/L, HGB 73–150 g/L, HCT 26–51%, MCV 59–72 fL, MCH 15.6–
21.4 pg, MCHC 257–325 g/L, RDW 14.3–19.1%, WBC 1.80–10.71 × 109/L. Vetscan
VS2 clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 27–41 g/L, ALP 26–100 U/L, ALT 25–307
U/L, amylase 267–826 U/L, bilirubin 4–10 μmol/L, calcium 2.1–2.2 mmol/L, globulin
21–55 g/L, glucose 3.8–10.0 mmol/L, phosphate 1.3–2.6 mmol/L, potassium 3.6–5.9
mmol/L, sodium 132–140 mmol/L total protein 52–84 g/L, and urea 5.3–11.4 mmol/L.
RIs for creatinine were not calculated as analytical imprecision exceeded analytical
performance goals. Cobas Integra clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 22–33 g/L, ALP
20–104 U/L, ALT 17–291 U/L, amylase 466–1,533 U/L, bilirubin 1–14 μmol/L, calcium
2.0–2.4 mmol/L, creatinine <58 μmol/L, globulin 23–49 g/L, glucose 3.6–10.1 mmol/L,
phosphate 1.0–2.2 mmol/L, potassium 3.1–5.8 mmol/L, sodium 137–150 mmol/L, total
protein 47–72 g/L, and urea 6.0–12.5 mmol/L. There was significant bias between
the two chemistry analyzers for several measurands. Differences were found for some analytes between free-living and rehabilitated animals, probably reflecting differences
in nutrition and hydration. These are the first RIs generated for Temminck’s pangolin.
These results will allow veterinarians to better determine pangolin health status, formulate
optimal treatment plans and increase patient survival rates in this endangered species.
