Comparative study of red blood indices in wild and domestic felines

The article presents the results of a comparative study of red blood indices in adult tigers, leopards and domestic cats. Similarities in quantitative blood indices were found in leopards and domestic cats, with no statistically significant differences. Tiger red blood indices differ significantly from those in leopards and cats. The greatest difference is in the average concentration of hemoglobin in erythrocytes, which is significantly higher in tigers by 28.7% than in leopards and by 37.2% than in cats. They also have a significant predominance of corpuscular volume – by 24.6-27.6% compared to other animals studied. The difference in hematocrit is smoothed out due to the lower concentration of erythrocytes in tigers. For this reason, no significant differences are observed when comparing the MCHC index, which is higher in tigers than in leopards by 3.1% and in cats by 7.9%. Tigers have been found to have higher concentrations of red blood cells - by 13.7-14.1% and hemoglobin - by 11.4-18.0%. All the differences found indicate the influence of species anatomical and physiological characteristics on the quantitative and qualitative parameters of red blood, as well as the development of adaptive functions in tigers, allowing them to maintain extraordinary physical strength and endurance under increased loads. Leopards have developed an adaptive skill of saving energy resources. Cats do not spend as much energy on their life support as wild cats, due to the availability of food on a permanent basis.