Determination of Blood Biochemistry Reference Intervals in Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris)

Abstract

Abstract Eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) are growing in popularity as exotic pets in the United States and worldwide. However, clinical biochemistry reference data to support interpretation of health and disease for this species remains lacking. This study evaluated 87 apparently healthy Eastern collared lizards (Crotaphtyus collaris). Blood samples were collected from the ventral coccygeal vein and assayed via Abaxis VetScan VS2 and Avian Reptile rotor. While lizard weight and snout-vent length (SVL) were normally distributed, most biochemical analytes, except albumin and total protein, were not. Many analytes were affected, albeit slightly, by lizard age, SVL, body condition score, gravidity and/or recent ovoposition, sex, health status, and color/locality. However, except for calcium, phosphorous, and albumin for gravid or immediately post oviposition females, biochemical values remained within the generated reference interval. Limitations of this study included that the VetScan VS2 avian / reptile profile plus rotor was unable to successfully provide values for bile acids for most of these apparently healthy lizards. When compared to biochemistry analyte values of lizards from the suborder Iguania from the western hemisphere, Eastern collared lizard biochemistries were similar for some analytes, but a relatively increased plasma glucose and uric acid occurs in this species which could affect the diagnosis of clinical disease or other health abnormalities.