Hematologic and serum chemistry values of the captive European wildcat

Hematologic and serum chemistry values were determined for 20 adult captive European wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain). Seven w ildcats (4 females and 3 males) were captured in the wild and 13 (4 females and 9 males) were born and raised in captivity Samples were collected betw een September and December from 1993 to 1998. Blood was obtained by jugular venipuncture after administration of either ketamine and xylazine or ketam ine and medetomidine. Females had significantly higher mean eosinophil coun ts, albumin concentration, (and A/G ratio) and lower mature neutrophil coun ts, although these differences were not clinically relevant. Results for ma ny of the blood parameters fall within the reference range for domestic cat s. Mean values for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, cr eatine phosphokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities as well as blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and sodium concentrations were higher than the upp er limit of the reference range for domestic cats.