Determination of hematological and biochemical parameters in free-ranging buzzards (buteo sp- buteo buteo, buteo rufinus, buteo lagopus) in Turkey

In this study, the pre-release hematologic and biochemical parameters of wild buzzards in Turkey were evaluated after treatment. Having accurate reference hematologic and biochemical values is of critical importance in the assessment of patients, particularly in avian medicine. We preferred to study buzzard since they are the most commonly encountered raptors in wildlife rehabilitation centers. After restoration of their health, pre-release blood samples were collected from 30 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) (9 young and 21 adult) and 20 long-legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus) (6 young and 14 adult) that had been brought to the Exotic Animal Clinic of Internal Medicine Department, Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University. The hematologic values including hematocrit, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, as well as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelet, total WBC count, and WBC differential were measured. No statistical difference was determined with regard to all parameters. The biochemical value including albumin (ALB), aspartat aminotransferase (AST), bile acid (BA), calcium (Ca), creatin kinase (CK), globuline (GLOB), glucose (GLU), potasium (K+), sodium (Na+), phospore (PHOS), total protein (TP), uric acid (UA). Ca value were mesured low compared with other studies, AST was statisticaly higer (p<0.05) in young common buzzards. In conclusion, this is the first study in Turkey evaluation of hematologic and biochemical parameters of long legged buzzards and giving reference values, while providing practical data that can be useful in determining the release criteria after rehabilitation of buzzards. Keywords: Buzzard, Buteo buteo, Buteo rufinus, hematology, biochemical, Turkey