Some physiological characteristics of wild, caged-stressed, and shock-comatose gray squirrels

This project was undertaken to determine the effects of continued close confinement on the normal physiological characteristics of the gray squirrel. A total of 46 squirrels divided into three groups: normal, confined-stressed, and confined-shocked were sampled within a period of 10 months from September 15, 1965 to June 30, 1966.

The confined-shocked squirrels exhibited acute hypoglycemia, hypolacticemia, and hypothermia indicating a general breakdown in the overall homeostatic processes.

The adrenal glands from the confined-shocked individuals were approximately 6-8 mg heavier than either the normal or confined-stressed animals.

Packed-cell-volumes averaged from 31-36% higher than normal in both the confined-stressed and confined-shocked animals indicating a polycythemic condition which developed due to the increased stress of confinement.

Normal adult liver glycogen levels were approximately 17.2 mg/g of liver tissue higher than immature squirrels.

Death from shock could have been caused by the acute reduction of plasma glucose, plasma lactic acid, or body temperature or any combination of these three physiological characteristics. High PCV may have been an additive factor to the shock syndrome evident in this study. However, further intensive study must be conducted before we can contribute the observed shock losses to any specific physiological mechanism.