Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and antibodies to select viruses in wild-caught Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) from Illinois.
During the 2004 field season, blood was collected from Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) in the Carlyle Lake (Carlyle, Illinois, USA) and Allerton Park (Monticello, Illinois, USA) populations to derive baseline complete blood count and plasma biochemistry data and to assess the prevalence of antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV) and ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV). Massasaugas were located for sampling through visual encounter surveys. Body weight, snout-vent length, total protein, globulins, sodium, and potassium were normally distributed among the survey population. Aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, albumin, calcium, uric acid, white blood cell count, heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils were non-normally distributed within these animals. Female snakes had significantly shorter tail lengths; lower blood glucose, packed cell volumes, and absolute azurophil counts; and higher plasma calcium and phosphorus concentrations than did males. None of the snakes tested (n=21) were seropositive for WNV, whereas all (n=20) were seropositive for OPMV.
Allender
Matthew C
MC
Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA. mattallender@yahoo.com
Mitchell
Mark A
MA
Phillips
Christopher A
CA
Gruszynski
Karen
K
Beasley
Val R
VR
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D017839:Crotalus / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D010252:Paramyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral