Abstract

An adult herring gull (Larus argentatus) found lethargic and moribund showed an open fracture of the right radius and ulna with necrosis of the surrounding tissue. Hematologic testing and plasma biochemical analysis revealed elevated creatinine kinase consistent with traumatic muscle damage in addition to hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, and hyperphosphatemia consistent with renal insufficiency. An increase in the acute phase protein Serum Amyloid A indicates a high degree of inflammation supported by leucocytosis, heterophilia, and hypoglycemia pointing towards septicemia. This case provides knowledge about Serum Amyloid A in gulls and how bone fracture and secondary infection may affect gull blood hematology and biochemistry.

Key words: Baltic; Herring Gull; Sepsis; Serum Amyloid A (SAA); Heterophilia