Reference intervals for selected haematological and clinical biochemistry measurands in Temminck’s ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

Abstract

An alarming number of pangolins are currently illegally traded for their scales and meat. Many pangolins confiscated from the trade are severely clinically compromised. Unfortunately, little is known about the physiology and normal health of pangolin, making it difficult to identify disease processes and treat them. The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals (RIs) for haematology and plasma clinical chemistry in the Temminck’s ground pangolin. Blood samples were collected from 27 healthy free-living or rehabilitated pangolins and reference intervals were generated according to international guidelines. Clinical chemistry analysis was performed using the Abaxis VetScan VS2 and Cobas Integra 400 Plus analyser and haematology was performed using the Abaxis VetScan HM5 analyser. Vetscan VS2 plasma clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 26-41 g/L, amylase 316-1014 U/L, ALP 29-153 U/L, ALT 25-307 U/L, bilirubin 1.5-10.8 mol/L, calcium 1.8-2.5 mmol/L, creatinine 9.7-46.3 mol/L, glucose 3.8-10.0 mmol/L, phosphate 1.3- 2.6 mmol/L, total protein 53-84 g/L, and urea 5.6-19.9 mmol/L. Cobas plasma clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 19-33 g/L, amylase 396-1669 U/L, ALP 25-301 U/L, ALT 17-291 U/L, bilirubin 1.5-18.3 mol/L, calcium 1.8-2.4 mmol/L, creatinine <58 mol/L, glucose 3.6-10.1 mmol/L, phosphate 0.9-2.3 mmol/L, total protein 48-74 g/L, and urea 6.2-20.4 mmol/L. Haematology RIs were: WBC 1.8-10.71 x109/L, RBC 3.88-8.31 x1012/L, HGB 73-150 g/L, HCT 26-51%, MCV 55-72 fL, MCH 15.6-21.4 pg, MCHC 242-332 g/L, and RDW 14.3-19.1%. The Wilcoxon test revealed significant differences between results for the following measurands for the Cobas versus the Abaxis Vetscan VS2: albumin (p = <0.0001); ALT (p = <0.0001); amylase (p= <0.0001); bilirubin (p= 0.038); calcium (p= <0.0001); phosphate (p= <0.0001); total protein (p= <0.0001); urea (p= <0.0001). RIs for some measurands were wide, probably due to the small sample size. Nevertheless, these are the first RIs generated for the Temminck’s ground pangolin and the results presented here will allow veterinarians to better determine the health status of pangolin patients, thus enabling them to formulate optimal treatment plans in the hope of increasing patient survival rates of this endangered species.