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Hematology and biochemistry parameters were evaluated in a zoological population of Krefft's river turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii) to determine the effect of sex and venipuncture site. Blood samples were collected from 17 (9 male, 8 female) healthy adult Krefft's river turtles. Females were reproductively active during the study period. Three venipuncture sites were sampled in each individual, including jugular vein, subcarapacial sinus, and dorsal coccygeal vein. Statistically significant differences were found between venipuncture sites and between sexes. Packed cell volume percentage was significantly lower in samples from the subcarapacial sinus compared to the other sites. Basophil concentration was significantly lower in samples from the subcarapacial sinus compared to the jugular vein. Azurophil, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations were significantly higher in females compared to males. Based on the results of this study, the jugular vein is the recommended venipuncture site in Krefft's river turtles. Sex and reproductive status should be assessed at the time of venipuncture when possible and considered in interpretation of hematology and biochemistry results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating leukocytes provides insight in the overall health of animals by characterizing pathologies related to infection, inflammation, and stress. In reptile species, many leukocyte quantification methods are used to evaluate white blood cell (WBC) parameters; however, agreement and analytical variability (repeatability) between the various methods have yet to be reported and critically assessed in many species, including the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). The objectives of this study were to 1) test agreement between hematology parameters determined by phloxine-based stain (Eosinophilic leukopet, EO), Natt–Herrick's (NH), and estimate (EST) methods using fresh whole blood and lithium-heparinized blood; 2) determine the agreement between estimates from a veterinary student and from a board-certified clinical pathologist; and 3) determine the analytical variability of EO, NH, and EST methods. Venipuncture was performed in 27 adult snakes, and agreement was then assessed using Bland–Altman plots and Passing–Bablock regression between all methods. There was a variable degree of proportional and constant error between many of the quantification methods, but descriptive statistics for all methods fell within biologically relevant values. There was good agreement in the EST method between the clinical pathologist and the veterinary student, but the student had a significantly higher mean WBC count in fresh whole blood. The lowest analytical variability was observed with the NH method (15.4%), whereas the highest was observed with the EST method (58.6% for the clinical pathologist, 59.4% for the veterinary student). These results identify the intrinsic variability in reptile hematological methods currently used and emphasize the need to develop a singular diagnostic standard for leukocyte quantification in reptile species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anticoagulants prevent clotting of blood samples and preserve cellular morphology for hematologic evaluations, but studies comparing anticoagulants are limited in snakes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lithium heparin (LH) and dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on hematologic values in prairie rattlesnakes (PR; Crotalus viridis, n = 16) and Lake Erie water snakes (LEWS; Nerodia sipedon insularum, n = 21). Venipuncture was performed and blood samples were immediately aliquoted into LH and EDTA microtainers. Packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), 100-cell differential counts, and Avian Leukopet white blood cell counts (WBC) were determined for each anticoagulant. Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plots revealed that anticoagulant choice did not constantly or proportionally bias the values of any WBC parameter. Mixed models demonstrated that blood anticoagulated with EDTA had higher PCV in PR (P = 0.04) and TS in both species (P < 0.05). However, the magnitude of the differences attributable to anticoagulant choice was relatively small and likely not clinically important. Hemolysis was not appreciated in any samples. Our findings demonstrate that LH and EDTA are equally appropriate for use in PR and LEWS, but may require separate reference values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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