Reproducibility of blood lead levels after blood stored for seven days in trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) and mute swans (Cygnus olor)

Sherri Cox

doi:10.53607/wrb.v42.269

Authors

Sherri Cox Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada and National Wildlife Center

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v42.269

Keywords:

blood lead level, lead analysis, lead toxicity, trumpeter swan

Abstract

Wild animals, particularly birds, often present with clinical signs of lead toxicosis when admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers. Many wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife biologists do not have a point-of-care blood lead level analyzer, nor do they always have the financial resources to submit samples for external laboratory analyses. Often there is a delay between taking a blood sample in the field and subsequent analysis. The objective of this study was to determine whether a delay in processing a blood sample for lead testing would significantly alter the blood lead level results in swans. Whole blood samples were collected from 49 trumpeter swans and four mute swans and placed in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood collection tubes. Samples were run on a LeadCare II analyzer at day 0, stored at 4°C for 7 days, and rerun on day 7. Results indicate that whole blood can be stored in EDTA blood collection tubes for up to seven days at 4°C while maintaining reproducibility in blood lead level results that were analyzed from a point-of-care blood lead level system.

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Author Biography

Sherri Cox, Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada and National Wildlife Center

Dr. Sherri Cox is a wildlife veterinarian and the medical director of the National Wildlife Centre Canada. As a board-certified specialist (ABVP, Avian), she and her medical team provide medical oversight for wildlife patients at four wildlife rehabilitation centres in Canada. Sherri holds a PhD from the University of Guelph where her research is focused on lead toxicosis in free-ranging trumpeter swans in Ontario, Canada.

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