Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Values of Spix's Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii)

• Published in: Journal of avian medicine and surgery Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 275 - 282
• Main Authors: Foldenauer, Ulrike, Borjal, Raffy Jim, Deb, Amrita, Arif, Abdi, Taha, Abid Sharif, Watson, Ryan William, Steinmetz, Hanspeter, Bürkle, Marcellus, Hammer, Sven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: P.O. Box 210732, Bedford, TX 76095, USA Association of Avian Veterinarians 01-12-2007
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animals; Animals, Wild - blood; avian; Aviary birds; Biochemical assays; Biochemistry; Birds; Blood Chemical Analysis - methods; Blood Chemical Analysis - veterinary; Blood plasma; Calcium; Conservation of Natural Resources; Cyanopsitta spixii; Female; Health aspects; Hematologic Tests - methods; Hematologic Tests - veterinary; Hematology; Heterophils; Lymphocytes; Male; Original Studies; Parrots; Parrots - blood; Phosphorus; plasma biochemical analysis; reference ranges; Reference Values; Sex Factors; Spix's macaw; Winter; Germany
• ISSN: 1082-6742; 1938-2871
• DOI: 10.1647/2007-004R.1

The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is considered the world's most endangered parrot, with the last wild bird disappearing in 2001 and only 74 birds in captivity. To establish hematologic and plasma biochemical reference ranges and to look for differences relative to sex, age, and season, we obtained blood samples from 46 captive Spix's macaws (23 male, 23 female) housed in aviaries at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation in the State of Qatar. No significant differences in hematologic or plasma biochemical values were found between females and males. Adult and juvenile birds differed in mean concentrations of glucose, total protein, amylase, cholesterol, and phosphorus; in percentages of heterophils and lymphocytes; and in the absolute lymphocyte count. Total protein, cholesterol, and phosphorus concentrations; hematocrit; and heterophil and lymphocyte counts differed significantly by season. Baseline hematologic and plasma biochemical ranges were established, which may be useful as reference values for clinicians working with this highly endangered species.