J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2021 Feb 15;258(4):416-424. doi: 10.2460/javma.258.4.416.
To describe results of analysis of free-catch urine samples collected from Antillean manatees () under human care in the Caribbean.
32 Antillean manatees in 5 Caribbean oceanaria and rescue centers.
Urine samples were obtained by opportunistic free catch during physical examination or through the use of operant conditioning procedures. Urinalyses consisted of macro- and microscopic evaluations, biochemical analyses with test strips, and refractometry. Results were compared for manatees grouped on the basis of age, sex, and habitat.
Urine samples were typically clear, straw colored, and alkaline (mean pH, 8.0); had a urinoid odor and low specific gravity (mean, 1.010); and had results on qualitative test strips that were consistently negative for the presence of glucose, bilirubin, ketones, proteins, nitrites, RBCs, and WBCs. Microscopically, the mean ± SD number of RBCs and WBCs/hpf was 0.5 ± 0.3 RBCs/hpf and 1.1 ± 1.5 WBCs/hpf. The presence of some epithelial cells and crystals was typical. Spermatozoa were found in urine from 1 of 15 sexually mature males, and parasite larvae and eggs were found in urine from 2 manatees.
Results of the present study yielded the first compilation of baseline urinalysis values in healthy Antillean manatees under human care, which, when combined with physical examination and other diagnostic procedures, can help in monitoring the health of these animals. We encourage the use of free-catch urine collection methods, as used in the present study, for routine urinalyses of manatees under human care in zoos, aquaria, or rescue centers.
描述在加勒比地区人类护理下收集的安地列斯海牛（）自由捕捉尿液样本的分析结果。
加勒比地区 5 个海洋馆和救援中心的 32 头安地列斯海牛。
通过体检或操作条件反射程序，机会性地自由采集尿液样本。尿液分析包括宏观和微观评估、使用测试条进行生化分析以及折射计检查。根据年龄、性别和栖息地对海牛进行分组，比较结果。
尿液样本通常清澈、稻草色且呈碱性（平均 pH 值为 8.0）；有尿味，比重低（平均为 1.010）；定性测试条的结果一致为阴性，表明不存在葡萄糖、胆红素、酮体、蛋白质、亚硝酸盐、红细胞和白细胞。显微镜下，红细胞和白细胞/hpf 的平均（±SD）数量分别为 0.5（±0.3）个红细胞/hpf 和 1.1（±1.5）个白细胞/hpf。通常存在一些上皮细胞和晶体。在 15 只性成熟雄性中的 1 只尿液中发现了精子，在 2 只海牛尿液中发现了寄生虫幼虫和卵。
本研究结果提供了在人类护理下健康安地列斯海牛尿液分析的第一批基线值，与体检和其他诊断程序相结合，有助于监测这些动物的健康状况。我们鼓励在动物园、水族馆或救援中心的人类护理下使用自由采集尿液的方法进行常规海牛尿液分析，就像本研究中使用的那样。
