Hematology and Blood Chemistry Reference Values of Captive Adult Black-Faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Wildlife and human interactions are increasing all over the world, with many injured wild animals needing to be treated or rehabilitated. Reference values are of great help when treating injured animals. The black-faced ibis is a bird common in South America and is one of the few ibises in this region. The human population has increased the risk of interaction with these birds, and rehabilitation centers are receiving injured birds. The aim of this work was to establish the normal or reference hematology and blood chemistry values in this species. The result may be used to elucidate the health and welfare status of injured or recovering black-faced ibis in rehabilitation centers and to act with the required therapeutic measures. This in turn may increase rates of survival and may indicate the correct moment of returning of the birds back to the wild while contributing to the conservation of this species. ABSTRACT: Hematology and blood chemistry reference values in wildlife animals are considered a key element to evaluate their health and welfare status. The incidence of birds rescued is increasing, thus, rehabilitation centers worldwide need valid reference values to improve medical care for wild individuals. The objective of this study was to obtain the reference values of the adult black-faced ibis (Theristicus melanopis). Blood was taken from adult rehabilitated birds and analyzed to obtain red and white line values such as hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Values for blood glucose, proteins, albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and albumin:globulin (A/G) ratio were also obtained. The results were similar to others reported for species of the Threskiornithidae family (bald, glossy and Puna ibises), but showed higher values for white blood cells (WBC), heterophils, monocytes and heterophil-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, but lower values for basophils and eosinophils. Moreover, higher values in albumin, BUN and CPK were observed. This is the first report of the hematology references values for the black-faced ibis showing differences to other closely related species. The results may be of use in rescue and rehabilitation centers for animal welfare and health assessments of the black-faced ibis.