SEROLOGIC AND HEMATOLOGIC VALUES OF WILD COYOTES IN WISCONSIN

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Abstract
Blood samples were obtained from 30 coyotes (C. latrans) captured in northern Wisconsin in conjunction with radiotelemetry studies. Samples were assayed for 7 hematologic values, 7 serum chemistries, serum albumin, globulin and total protein. Results are given with respect to sex and age and are compared with available data for captive wild and pen-raised coyotes. Leukocyte counts were greater for males than females and packed cell volumes were greater for adults than young, possibly due to differential response to capture and handling stress. Hb concentrations and Ca levels suggest differences in nutrition between pen-raised and wild coyotes. Sex and age differences in serum Ca for wild coyotes probably reflect nutritional differences between groups examined. Juvenile coyote serum alkaline phosphatase levels declined curvilinearly with age for coyotes less than 1 yr old, suggesting a possible technique for separating juveniles and yearlings captured in autumn that are released for research purposes. Elevated glucose levels and leukocyte counts in wild coyotes may reflect greater handling stress than for pen-raised and captive coyotes. No significant sex or age effects were found for levels of serum urea N, total protein, cholesterol and total bilirubin.

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