Baseline urinalysis results in 32 healthy Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus).

OBJECTIVE To describe results of analysis of free-catch urine samples collected from Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) under human care in the Caribbean. ANIMALS 32 Antillean manatees in 5 Caribbean oceanaria and rescue centers. PROCEDURES Urine samples were obtained by opportunistic free catch during physical examination or through the use of operant conditioning procedures. Urinalyses consisted of macro- and microscopic evaluations, biochemical analyses with test strips, and refractometry. Results were compared for maiatees grouped on the basis of age, sex, and habitat. RESULTS Urine samples were typically clear, straw colored, and alkaline (mean pH, 8.0); had a urinoid odor and low specific gravity (mean, 1.010); and had resub on qualitative test strips that were consistently negative for the prese nce of glucose, bilirubin, ketones, proteins, nitrites, RBCs, and WBCs. Microscopically, the mean + SD number of RBCs and WBCs/hpf was 0.5 * 0.3 RBCs/hpfand 1.1 * 1.5 WBCs/hpf. The presence of some epithelial cel s and crystals was typical. Spermatozoa were found in urine from I of 15 sexually mature males, and parasite larvae and eggs were found in urine from 2 manatees. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present studyyielded the first compilation of baseline urinalysis valles in healthy Antillean manatees under human care, which, when combined with physical examination and other diagnostic procedures, can help in mcnitoring the health of these animals. We encourage the use of free-catch urile collection methods, as used in the present study, for routine urinalyses of -nanatees under human care in zoos, aquaria, or rescue centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]