Blood plasma chemistries from wild mourning doves held in captivity

Despite the extensive amount of research conducted on mourning doves (Zenai da macroura), no biochemical reference values exist for this species. Our o bjective, therefore, was to establish base line clinical chemistry referenc e values for mounting doves to assist with establishing clinical diagnoses. Wild mourning doves were captured 19 March 1996 to 8 August 1996, and 6 Fe bruary 1998 to 12 May 1998; blood samples were collected from 382 mourning doves. Plasma biochemical values were established for glucose, sodium, pota ssium, chloride, enzymatic CO2, albumin, total protein, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, magnesium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and uric acid. Th ese reference values are invaluable for determining diagnosis of diseases o f the gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, an d endocrine systems.