A Review on Blood Reference Values as a Valuable Marker of Wildlife Welfare in IErinaceus europaeus/I

• Published in: Animals (Basel) Vol. 14; no. 6
• Main Authors: Rosa, Sofia, Silvestre-Ferreira, Ana C, Queiroga, Felisbina Luísa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Indicators (Biology); Methicillin; Tetracycline; Tetracyclines; United Kingdom; Portugal
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani14060982

This review addresses the health challenges of western-European hedgehogs in human environments, emphasizing their exposure to contaminants and diseases. As vital contributors to One Health studies, hedgehogs serve as indicators of environmental health. This study underscores the importance of comprehending their well-being via blood value exploration, which is crucial for identifying threats and ensuring their conservation. By analyzing the existing literature on hedgehog blood reference values, this review emphasizes the ongoing necessity for research to create a valuable tool for the assessment of species health. The western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), in expanding its range towards human habitats, faces exposure to contaminants and biological agents, potentially leading to diseases associated with hematological and biochemical changes. As bioindicators of environmental pollution and carriers of zoonotic agents, hedgehogs play a crucial role in One Health studies, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of their clinical-pathological aspects. Exploring the blood reference values in healthy animals of this species is crucial for understanding and improving their well-being, and identifying possible diseases/pathogens that may affect its conservation and/or impact human health. This review is focused on analyzing the data available in the literature for Erinaceus europaeus blood reference intervals. A comprehensive literature review of the studies published in Europe is performed, highlighting their specificities, and emphasizing the need for continuous research in this field. Our final goal is to provide a crucial tool for assessing the health status of the species, and underscoring the significance of research in this specific domain.