DETERMINATION OF HEMATOLOGICAL VALUES OF COMMON CROCODILE (Caiman Crocodilus fuscus) IN CAPTIVITY IN THE NORTH ZONE OF COLOMBIA

Caiman zoo breeding (Caiman crocodilus fuscus) has been developing with greater force in Colombia since the 90s. It is very important to evaluate the physiological ranges of the species to be able to assess those situations in which their health is threatened. The objective of the present study was to determine the normal hematological values of the common crocodile ( Cayman crocodilus fuscus) with the aid of the microhematocrit, the cyanometahemoglobin technique and a hematological analyzer. The blood samples were taken from 120 young animals both sexes in good health. The samples were taken from the coccygeal vein between the second and third interscalar space with lilac lid vacutainer tube. The animals are located in the middle of the Magdalena area in Colombia. The samples were transported and processed in the hematology laboratory of the Veterinary School of the Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia. The results obtained on average were: Hematocrit: 23.36%, Hemoglobin: 7.78 g / dl, Red blood cells: 3.89 106 / μL, Average corpuscular volume: 60 fl, Average corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: 33.33 g / dl and Average corpuscular hemoglobin: 73.9 pg. This is the first study of hematological values for this species in Colombia.