Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) are a critically endangered marine species found along the eastern coast of the United States and Mexico. During autumn and early winter, turtles in the northern end of this range may become cold-stunned and stranded if they fail to migrate to warmer waters. Depending on the time of day that stranded turtles are discovered, turtles may be kept overnight by stranding officials before being hospitalized. Turtles for which hospitalization was delayed overnight had higher respiratory rates, packed cell volumes, plasma total solids, and blood potassium concentrations in comparison to turtles that were hospitalized on the day of stranding. There was no significant difference in outcome for turtles presented immediately versus those affected by delayed presentation. These findings suggest that cold-stunned turtles affected by an overnight hospitalization delay may benefit from basic medical treatments, such as fluid therapy, until they can be transferred to a hospital.

Anemia is a common clinical pathological finding in stranded loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) secondary to trauma and chronic debilitation. These animals may benefit from species-specific blood product administration, yet few studies have evaluated the effects of anticoagulants on loggerhead sea turtle blood storage. Sea turtles in managed collections may serve as healthy blood donors, allowing for short-term blood storage with transfer of blood products within 24 h to rehabilitation facilities. The objective of this study was to compare the packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), electrolytes, glucose, and venous blood gas analytes over a 24 h storage of loggerhead sea turtle whole blood in three anticoagulants: sodium heparin, sodium citrate, and citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1). Blood from eight loggerhead sea turtles at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Surf City, NC) was used following routine venipuncture for health assessment. Whole blood was placed into vacutainer tubes containing sodium heparin, sodium citrate, or CPDA-1 and stored at 4–8°C (39–46°F). PCV and TS were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Blood gas, electrolyte, and glucose analyses using i-STAT CG8 cartridges were performed at 0 and 24 h. There were no significant differences in PCV and TS over time. At 24 hours, pink plasma was observed in 62.5% (5/8) of CPDA-1 and 12.5% (1/8) of citrate specimens. CPDA-1 and citrate specimens had a significant increase in potassium at 24 h. Both heparin and citrate specimens had a significant decrease in pH and increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide at 24 h. Sodium values decreased over time in citrate and CPDA-1 specimens. Loggerhead sea turtle blood stored in CPDA-1, and sodium citrate had more significant blood gas and electrolyte changes over 24 h, indicating a greater degree of erythrocyte leakage or lysis. For the purposes of collection and short-term storage of loggerhead sea turtle blood, sodium heparin is preferable.

Mexican axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are used as research animals in a variety of fields, and are also kept as pets. However, there are limited clinical pathology references available for Mexican axolotls that can be used to interpret cases with clinical disease. To establish plasma biochemical and packed cell volume reference intervals, we collected blood samples from 43 clinically healthy Mexican axolotls (mean body weight, 59.6 ± 17.5 g; total length, 21.1 ± 1.8 cm) under anesthesia with a 0.2% ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate solution. Plasma biochemical tests were performed with the use of two types of automated biochemical analyzers, and packed cell volume was measured simultaneously. Bland–Altman analysis was used to measure agreement between the analyzers. Reference intervals for packed cell volume and plasma biochemical values obtained from both analyzers were established for the Mexican axolotl. The results revealed systematic biases in values derived from both analyzers. This study has provided a baseline for the plasma biochemical profile and packed cell volume in clinically healthy Mexican axolotls. The results of this study suggest that the reference intervals for plasma biochemical values of the Mexican axolotl be customized for each analyzer.

Historically, wetland toxin exposure studies have relied on single time point samples from stationary sampling devices. Development of passive sampling devices (PSDs) that can be attached to individual animals within wetland habitats has greatly improved in recent years, presenting an innovative sampling technology that can potentially yield individual-specific, quantifiable data about chemical exposure. In this study, silicone based PSDs were attached to the ventral skin of 20 northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) with polypropylene sutures after radiotransmitters had been surgically implanted into the coleomic cavity. After a short recovery period, frogs were released back into the wetland habitat where they were acquired. The animals were located daily using radiotelemetry to assess how long PSDs would remain attached in the frogs' natural habitat. After one week, PSDs remained on 18 of the original 20 frogs. At two weeks, 17 frogs were recovered and no PSDs remained attached. Although valuable data can be obtained over a short time period, more research will be necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of externally attaching silicone PSDs to northern leopard frogs for time periods longer than 1–2 weeks.

Gastrointestinal parasites are commonly diagnosed in captive tortoises. In response, fenbendazole has traditionally been used as an anthelmintic, either in single or repeated doses. However, fenbendazole requires oral administration and the process can be very challenging in some individuals. A topical preparation containing emodepside and praziquantel (Profender®, Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany) is promoted as effective against a broad range of nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes. Although this product is currently only licensed for administration to cats, previous studies have shown positive results with tortoises. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Profender against oxyurid and ascarid parasites in captive tortoises. This was achieved by quantifying nematode eggs per gram (EPG) in feces using a modified McMaster technique before (Day 0) and after (Days 14 and 33) topical application of Profender at a dose rate of 21.5 mg emodepside and 85.5 mg praziquantel per kilogram. Twenty-nine tortoises, representing four different species, were enrolled in this study of which 14 (48%; including Testudo hermanni and Testudo graeca) were positive for intestinal nematodes. Following treatment, the oxyurid EPG was slightly increased on Day 14 but declined significantly by Day 33 (59.7% reduction; P = 0.01), indicating a slow onset of effect and moderate efficacy 33 days posttreatment; however, no conclusions regarding efficacy against ascarids can be drawn from this study. Topical application of emodepside and praziquantel was well tolerated in our tortoise population and, therefore, could be considered as a useful alternative anthelmintic treatment protocol for captive tortoises.

Anesthesia is an essential part of veterinary care for reptiles; however, there is limited literature available for the anesthetic management of commonly kept species such as the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). This study compares the intravenous use of 10 mg/kg propofol with 12 mg/kg alfaxalone. Both protocols resulted in smooth and rapid induction and subsequent intubation. A surgical plane of anesthesia, defined as a loss of reaction to noxious stimuli and absent muscle tone, was achieved in 5/8 (62.5%) alfaxalone animals and 0/8 of the propofol animals. Reflexes and muscle tone were regained from a cranial to caudal direction. There was no effect on the heart rate; however, both protocols resulted in respiratory depression, including 5 and 20 min durations of apnea in two of the alfaxalone animals. Differences in the characteristics of these two protocols are likely attributable to the different depths of anesthesia achieved. Further research is required to establish equipotent dosages to allow rigorous comparison. In conclusion, both agents at these dosages were effective and safe for inducing anesthesia and appeared to show dose dependent effects on respiration and duration of anesthesia.

Testing for troponins is gaining in popularity in the veterinary community as a cardiac diagnostic screening aide. Cardiac troponin concentrations have been investigated in veterinary medicine, and several studies have shown that troponin concentrations can be elevated in primary heart disease as well as pericardial disease. Recent studies question the validity of a point-of-care cardiac troponin I (cTnI) immunoassay in reptile species. It has been suggested that the point-of-care cTnI immunoassay may not recognize the reptile cTnI. This pilot study evaluates the point-of-care cTnI immunoassay with reptile cardiac tissue homogenates.