Survey of Nutrient Concentrations in the Diet, Serum, and Urine of Giraffe Maintained in North American Zoos
Abstract
In order to elucidate the causes of urolithiasis in giraffe, a comprehensive survey was initiated in September 2004 of giraffe within North American zoological institutions. Giraffe feeding practices and medical histories were examined, and holding institutions were recruited to submit samples of feeds, water, serum, urine and feces, and asked to participate in a feeding trial. Currently, 37 out of the 95 institutions contacted through the giraffe American Zoo and Aquarium Association Species Survival Plan Program have responded. Nineteen of the 37 institutions have agreed to provide samples of feeds, water, serum, urine or feces. Preliminary serum and urine analyses from three giraffe from one zoo have been completed (Table 1). Serum concentrations were similar to previously published values,1-4 with slightly elevated Ca and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and high glucose (GLU). Average urine concentrations were within acceptable ranges (Table 1) with an average pH value of 9. Further efforts will continue to focus on comparisons of serum and urine chemistries between zoos and include comprehensive dietary analyses to gain further insight into the nutritional factors that may incite urolithiasis in captive giraffe.
Table 1. Comparison of serum and urine chemistry data for giraffe (mean±SEM) with published serum data (mg/dl)
|
|
Magnesium
|
Calcium
|
Phosphorus
|
Glucose
|
Blood urea nitrogen
|
Creatinine
|
|
Serum
|
2.3±0.16
|
8.6±0.46
|
9.5±0.72
|
255±39.6
|
29±1.6
|
1.9±0.14
|
|
Urine
|
70.1±10.89
|
11.4±3.40
|
6.2±0.9
|
naa
|
Na
|
373±37.6
|
|
Jansen and Nijboer 2003
|
1.2
|
5.0
|
9.3
|
138.7
|
Na
|
1.8
|
|
ISIS, 2001
|
3.9±4.5
|
8.0±0.80
|
10.9±2.8
|
105±62.0
|
22±4.0
|
na
|
|
Kearney 2005
|
2.7±0.6
|
8.6±0.29
|
10.9±0.60
|
99±8.1
|
21±0.7
|
1.7±0.06
|
|
Bush et al. 1980
|
na
|
4.8±0.14
|
10.0±2.7
|
179±54.0
|
na
|
na
|
aNot applicable.
Literature Cited
1. Jansen, W. and J. Nijboer, J. 2003. Zoo Animal Nutrition Tables and Guidelines. Amsterdam. European Zoo Nutrition Center. Pg: 45.
2. (ISIS) International Species Information System. 2001. Physiological data reference values, MedARKS V 5.31j release 5 Apr 2001, International Species Information System, 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA.
3. Kearney, C. 2005. Effects of dietary physical form and carbohydrate profile on captive giraffe. MS Thesis, University of Florida.
4. Bush, M., R.S. Custer, and J.C. Whitla. 1980. Hematology and serum chemistry profiles for giraffes: variations with sex, age, and restraint. J. Zoo Anim. Med. 11(4):122–129.