Hematologic data on some small mammals.

By \V. C. YOUAYr, L. D. FAY, D. L. HowE AND H. D. HARTE K NOWLEDGE of the normal physiology of the various species of wild animals is essential for the study of disease, nutrition, reproduction and related subjects bearing on the scientific management of game animals. In the course of our work on disease and nutrition in game species we have frequently been hampered by a lack of information on hematologic and biochemical values for these species. Most of the data of this nature appearing in pertinent literature are limited to one or two instances when the animal has been brought to the observer’s attention because of some pathologic condition or physical impairment. information on healthy wild animals is cxtremely scarce. Wintrob& gives figures on hematology for several wild species, but the information is based on relatively small numbers. Additionally, due to increased importance of wild animals in the field of epidemiology, \ve were interested in determining what hematologic values might be in some of the non-game species. \Ve hesitate to say that these data represent “normal” values, as they are based on animals under stress of handling. They are representative of apparently healthy animals handled as described. Admittedly, the conditions ufl(ler which we obtained the blood samples are imperfect, and a number of stressors involved undoubtedly affected our results. However, until better, more sophisticated technics are devised and employed, we feel the data presented will aid in forming a standard for comparison.