Blood chemistry of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus).

Abstract

Blood from 10 clinically healthy West Indian manatees (8 wild, 2 captive) was analyzed for the common blood chemical substances. No sex differences were found. The results were comparable for the most part to those of the common domestic mammals. Notable exceptions were the anion gaps, and total proteins and A/G ratios which were higher than those for domestic species. Some of these differences were no doubt due to the stress of capture.