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1 July 2012 Temporal Variance in Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Reference Intervals for Free-Ranging Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)
Steven J. A. Kimble, Rod N. Williams
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Abstract

Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) populations are in decline, likely due to anthropogenic forces and disease, necessitating hematologic and biochemical data from healthy individuals for evaluation of wild populations. We repeatedly sampled 21 free-ranging eastern box turtles from May to September 2009 in the spring, summer, and fall to establish temporal hematologic and biochemical reference intervals. Packed cell volume, aspartate aminotransferase, and potassium levels declined significantly as the active season progressed. High levels of albumin, globulin, and calcium coincided with the presence of eggs in females. These reference intervals should provide baseline data for the clinical evaluation of wild box turtles presented for veterinary care or for studies of wild populations.

Steven J. A. Kimble and Rod N. Williams "Temporal Variance in Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Reference Intervals for Free-Ranging Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 48(3), 799-802, (1 July 2012). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.3.799
Received: 25 June 2011; Accepted: 1 March 2012; Published: 1 July 2012
KEYWORDS
blood chemistry
hematology
overwintering
packed cell volume
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