Haematological and biochemical values for brushtail possums

Authors: Clark P
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 46, Issue 3, pp 118-119, Jun 1998
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Possum, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Biochemistry/chemistry, Circulatory system/haematology, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: As an investigator with an interest in marsupial haematology, I was interested to read the study by O`Keefe and Wickstrom pertaining to haematological and biochemical values for wild-caught brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand (New Zealand Veterinary Journal 46,4 l-2,1998). Unfortunately, there are some design and interpretation flaws in this study that detract from its usefulness to researchers in the field of marsupial haematology. The study animals were reported to be “normal on the basis of clinical examination at capture”, but we were not told what the examination entailed. I doubt that a wild-caught possum could be thoroughly examined without the use of sedation or anaesthesia. Consequently, the reader cannot be confident the animals of the study population were not suffering from any clinical disease states (not to mention possible sub-clinical disease states) that may influence the haematological and biochemical values. In addition, age, sex and season have been reported to affect the haematological values of the brushtail possum (Barnett et al., 1979). Sex and season have also been…

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