Exotics

Uric acid is the major end product of nitrogen metabolism in avian species. It constitutes approximately 60 to 80% of the total nitrogen excreted in avian urine and is secreted actively by the renal tubules. Measurement of plasma or serum uric acid is used as an index of renal function in birds. Increases in uric

Compared to small animals, measurement of various biochemical analytes in exotic species is quite limited due to differences in physiology and metabolism and the small amount of blood volume that can be withdrawn at a single sampling. Typically, samples are collected into heparin (green top tubes) to maximize plasma yield versus serum, where it is

The neutrophil, or the heterophil in birds, reptiles and some mammals, is the predominant granulocyte. In many species it is the predominant leukocyte in health. In health, usually only mature neutrophils are released from marrow to circulate in blood. Since mature neutrophils in prototypical human blood have nuclei that are segmented into lobes of condensed

Hemoproteus Hemoproteus is a commonly encountered and easily identified protozoan parasite that infects red blood cells in wild birds of many species. It is generally not associated with obvious clinical signs or evidence of hemolytic anemia (exceptions may occur in quail and pigeons).  The gametocytes vary in size, and the mature forms occupy a large proportion of

Exotic animals pose a unique challenge for hematologic tests. This is because all of their cells in blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets – also called thrombocytes) are nucleated. Therefore, we use different methods to count these different cell types in blood and we have to be able to distinguish between them

Exotic animals, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians, have unique clinical pathologic characteristics, particularly with respect to hematology. This section will provide information on exotic animal hematology, biochemistry and cytology. Hematology: So far, we have brief information on neutrophils (heterophils) and infectious agents. Chemistry: So far, we only have information on uric acid.