Physical, Hematologic, and Plasma Biochemistry Values of Five Crocodile Monitors, Varanus salvadorii
J Herpe Med Surg 14[1]:5-9 Spring'04 Original Study 14 Refs

* Deidre K. Fontenot, DVM; Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM; Scott Pfaff, Curator of Herpetology
* Disney's Animal Kingdom, P.O. Box 10,000, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 32830, USA

Body weight, body length, including snout/tail (ST) and snout/vent (SV) lengths, environmental temperature and humidity, core body temperature, complete blood count (CBC) and plasma chemistry values were determined monthly for one year from five (three male and two female) crocodile monitors, Varanus salvadorii, housed in similar environmental conditions. Summary statistics were calculated for hematologic and plasma chemistry values. Two white blood cell enumeration methods, phloxine B and Natt and Herrick, were compared. The effects of sex and season on the blood values of the sample population were evaluated. Values determined were found to be similar to other varanid species (ISIS Physiological Reference Values, 1999). [Abstract]

     


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