Serum Biochemistry and Hematology in Blue Fox (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>)

The blue fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a colour mutation of wild arctic fox. It is commonly farmed for its fur. The aim of the present study was to analyse a baseline biochemical profile of serum from adult farmed blue foxes during pelting season. Serum biochemical profile can be used later on as a reference in chemical analysis of blood serum. Biochemical profile here consists of liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartatate aminotranasferase (ASAT), alkaline phospahatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (T-BIL);kidney function substances creatinine, urea and inorganic phosphate (Pi);muscle enzyme creatinine kinase (CK);glucose (GLUK) from pancreas;serum total proteins (PROT) and albumin (ALB);electrolytes potassium (K), natrium (Na), chloride (CL), calcium (S-Ca);and lipids such as total cholesterol (T-Cho). For some of the measured parameters reference values were also available from previous studies. Certain values were close to those previously published but some differed markedly. These differences can be explained by differences e.g. in techniques, conditions, unit reports, and breed and age of the animals. The present study additionally reviewed previously published haematological data concerning small blood count, i.e. hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells and red blood cells. Summarized material revealed that these variables are very similar despite of study and animal material. Thus, small blood count can be reliably used to screen general welfare status of farmed blue foxes. The reference values presented in this paper will be valuable as a guide for clinical diagnosis and research.

Effects of Feeding Intensity and Ca:P Ratio on Foot Welfare in Blue Foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>)

The aim was to clarify effects of ad libitum and restricted feeding with Ca:P ratios on foot welfare in blue foxes. Experiment was started at weaning on August 6th and finished at pelting on November 26th, 2013. Treatments were: 1) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1;2) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1;3) restricted feeding Ca:P ratio control level;4) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1;5) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P-ratio 2.9:1;6) ad libitum feeding Ca:P ratio control level. Body growth variables, feed intake and welfare variables were measured. The behaviour was video recorded. Foreleg carpal joint angle as an indicator of leg weakness and the fox’s ability to move were evaluated. During weeks 32 - 35 and 37 - 47 animals from restricted groups ate 60% - 65% and 67% - 68% of the given feed, respectively. Body weight gain was faster in foxes fed ad libitum than with a restricted diet (P ad libitum groups compared to restricted ones. The body condition score was significantly (P ad libitum animals. Body length was greater for ad libitum than for restricted groups (P ad libitum and restricted groups

Foreleg Bending in Blue Foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>) as Evaluated by Radiography

The aim was to compare radiographic X-ray data to foreleg bending, moving difficulties and body size in juvenile blue foxes. Experimental groups were: 1) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1 (R 1);2) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1 (R 2);3) restricted feeding Ca:P ratio 2.0:1 control level (R 3);4) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1 (AL 1);5) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1 (AL 2);6) ad libitum feeding Ca:P ratio 2.0:1 control level (AL 3). Moving difficulties and foreleg bending were evaluated in live animals. At pelting, left foreleg was removed. X-ray pictures were taken from lateral views. Dimensions of ulna and radius were measured from the X-ray pictures. Conditions of carpal joint and elbow joint were visually evaluated. The results showed that final body weight was affected by feeding intensity (P = 0.001). Ad libitum fed animals had more moving difficulties compared to restricted ones (P = 0.001). The Ca:P ratio tended (P = 0.06) to have an effect on feet bending. Bending was greatest in low Ca:P ratio (1.5:1) and, correspondingly, least in high Ca:P ratio (2.9:1). Moving difficulties were most common in heaviest animals. The moving difficulties tended (P = 0.07) to be positively related to feet bending. Maximum width of ulna was lowest in low Ca:P ratio diet (1.5:1). Bending was negatively correlated with maximum width of ulna. It can be concluded that low Ca:P ratio in the diet (1.5:1) increases foreleg bending in juveniles. Moving difficulties are related to foreleg bending and high body weight.

Effect of Carotenoid Supplement on Production Performance in Mink (<i>Neovison vison</i>)

The present study sought to find out how carotenoid supplement influences on body weights, feed consumption and reproductive success in standard farm mink (Neovison vison). Carotenoids were from microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. A dose of carotenoid supplement of 0.20, 0.25, 0.20, 0.20, and 0.10 g/animal was added daily in feed in February, March, April, May and June, respectively. Experimental groups were: 1) control group, and 2) carotenoid group. Each group comprised 100 females and 25 males. The results showed that appetite of animals in all groups was good. Significant differences were not found in body weights before breeding. However, weights of control females were significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with those of carotenoid fed animals when kits aged 21 days. At the age of 21 and 42 days, body weights of kits were similar in both groups. However, kits from carotenoid group tended to grow better (P < 0.1) than those from control group. Number of whelped females was lower in control group (81 vs 85 females). Number of barren females was higher in control than in carotenoid group (16 vs 13 females). Significant differences were not found in number of kits per mated and whelped female. Number of lost kits was higher in the control group at the age of 21 days (24 vs 20 kits) and the age of 42 days (40 vs 26 kits). The present study showed that carotenoid supplement could be used in mink diet. The results are promising, but require further studies before final implementation.