Abstract

This study examined 41 hematology and serum biochemistry status of adult raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides, n = 20) and silver foxes (Vulpes fulva, n = 20), living in the farms of Hebei Province. These values were compared between sexes of each kind animal and between raccoon dogs and foxes. The results showed that genders and species influenced the hematology and serum biochemistry values. Specifically, female foxes had higher (P < 0.05) eosinopil counts and chloride content, and lower (P < 0.05) glucose content than males. Female raccoon dogs had lower (P < 0.05) glutamyltransferase activity and higher (P < 0.05) contents of creatinine and triglyceride (TG) than males. For leukocyte counts, mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) values were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in raccoon dogs when compared with the foxes. However, erythrocyte count of foxes was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of raccoon dogs. The activities of amylase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltransferase (GGT), and the contents of total protein, globulin, uric acid, triglyceride, potassium, and sodium were significantly higher in raccoon dogs than those in foxes (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). While, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase and the contents of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, magnesium and total cholesterol were significantly higher in foxes than that in raccoon dogs.        

Key words: Blood serum biochemistry, silver fox (Vulpes fulva), hematology, raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).