Reference Range for Vital Signs and Clinical Examinations of Healthy Red Foxes in Captivity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the reference ranges for vital signs, hematology, coagulation, and serum biochemistry in clinically healthy adult male and female red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at Zao Fox Village. Under conscious conditions, the neck of the fox was restrained without depressing respiration or blood flow with specific manipulation. Blood was drawn from the saphenous vein during the non-breeding season in November. No sex difference was noted in any of the items tested. Mean values for male and female foxes were compared with the reference ranges for healthy dogs. In foxes, elevated rectal temperature may be explained by outdoor rearing during the shedding season. High values for erythrocytes with lower erythrocyte indices for MCV and MCH were observed without elevation in hematocrit and hemoglobin, presumably indicating smaller sizes of erythrocytes in foxes. Lower butyrylcholinesterase in serum may be explained by the species difference between foxes and dogs. Elevations in glucose, albumin, and urea nitrogen in blood may be related to meat-oriented diets. Reference ranges for a variety of biological items assist veterinary clinicians and researchers in their interpretations of observations of red foxes.