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Plasma biochemistry and condition of confiscated hatchling Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta)

Abstract:

Plasma biochemical analysis is an important tool for health assessment in many species. Reference intervals for certain chelonian species, particularly sea turtles, have been previously established. However, baseline biochemical values for freshwater turtles, particularly species in the superfamily Trionychia, are lacking. We evaluated plasma biochemical parameters in 20 confiscated hatchling Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) to establish baseline parameters for health assessment. The majority of turtles exhibited various degrees of dermal lesions and two turtles had suspected yolk peritonitis based on the presence of cloudy intracoelomic fluid; the turtles were treated accordingly for these problems. Plasma values showed decreased levels for packed cell volume (PCV), total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid compared to previous chelonian studies, which may be attributed either to hatchling age, previous malnutrition, and/or disease. Additionally, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was increased while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was decreased compared to previous studies. Three biochemical parameters (albumin, creatinine, and gammaglutamyltransferase GGT) were below the analyzer measurement threshold for all turtles. © 2012. Jessica Ward. All rights reserved.