Hematological Characteristics and Hemoglobin Typing of the Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

Abstract

Hematological values and hemoglobin typing were determined in 30 Persian squirrels (15 females and 15 males) with no clinical signs of disease. The following results (mean ± standard deviation) were obtained: red blood cell count 7.18 ± 1.5 × 10⁶ μL; packed cell volume 46 ± 6%; hemoglobin concentration (Hb) 15.5 ± 1.5 g/dL; mean corpuscular volume 52.4 ± 8 fl; mean corpuscular hemoglobin 22.5 ± 2.7 pg; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 33 ± 1.7%; white blood cell count 4.35 ± 1.42 × 10³ μL; neutrophils 2.4 ± 0.9 × 10³ μL; lymphocytes 1.8 ± 0.8 × 10³ μL; monocytes 0.37 ± 0.04 × 10³ μL; eosinophils 0.37 ± 0.05 × 10³ μL; basophils 0.37 ± 0.06 × 10³ μL; platelets (433 ± 15) × 10³ μL; plasma total protein 7.44 ± 0.46 g/dL. Two types of Hb (Hb A and Hb F) were found in Persian squirrels by the cellulose acetate method. Hb A accounted for more than 99% of the total Hb.

Key words: Persian squirrel, hematology, hemoglobin typing, electrophoresis, Sciurus anomalus