Venous blood gases, plasma biochemistry, and hematology of wild-caught common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

David Eshar, Melanie Ammersbach, Boaz Shacham, Gad Katzir, Hugues Beaufrère

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine a wide range of selected hematologic, venous blood gases, and plasma biochemistry analytes in common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon). Blood samples were collected from the ventral tail vein of 41 common chameleons to determine reference intervals for 30 different blood analytes. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, packed cell volume (PCV), refractometric total solids (TS), blood cell counts, and differentials were also determined. The microscopic evaluation of blood smears revealed inclusion bodies in monocytes in 7 of the samples. Females showed significantly higher values of plasma proteins and calcium and cholesterol concentrations and males showed significantly higher values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) plasma concentrations. Significant differences were found between similar analytes determined by different testing methodologies in the PCV/hematocrit, electrolytes (sodium, potassium), and plasma proteins [TS, total protein (TP) and albumin]. Blood analytes determined in this study can provide baseline data that may be useful when evaluating the health status of common chameleons, taking into consideration the potential effects of gender and the type of analyzer used.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-114
Number of pages9
JournalCanadian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume82
Issue number2
StatePublished - Apr 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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