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The hematology of captive Bobtail lizards ( Tiliqua rugosa ): blood counts, light microscopy, cytochemistry, and ultrastructure
Author(s) -
Moller Cheryl A.,
Gaál Tibor,
Mills Jennifer N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/vcp.12425
Subject(s) - cytochemistry , ultrastructure , rugosa , biology , zoology , hematology , anatomy , botany , immunology
Bobtail lizards ( Tiliqua rugosa ) are native to Australia. The only previous study on the hematology of this species documented just 6 animals. Objectives The aims of this study were to characterize the light microscopy, ultrastructure and cytochemistry of blood cells, and evaluate CBC s of captive Bobtail lizards. Methods Over 2 consecutive summers, heparinized venous blood was collected from the ventral coccygeal vein of 46 clinically healthy, captive indoor‐ or outdoor‐housed adult Bobtails. Complete blood cell counts and smear evaluations were performed, and cytochemical stains and transmission electron microscopy were used to further characterize blood cells. Results The eosinophils of this species were uniformly vacuolated: a unique feature not previously reported in reptiles. Heterophils were the predominant leukocyte, with fewer lymphocytes, azurophilic and nonazurophilic monocytes, occasional eosinophils, and basophils. Thrombocytes were frequently clumped. Slight polychromasia (0–15% of erythrocytes) was typically present. Hemogregarine parasites were seen on some smears. The range of CBC results was often wide. The PCV ranged from 11% to 38%. Total plasma proteins by refractometry were between 3.5 and 7.8 g/dL. Hemoglobin ranged between 2.6 and 12.6 g/dL by the modified hemoglobin‐hydroxylamine method. Manual RBC count was 0.35–1.27 × 10 6 /μL, and WBC count was 2.86–22.66 × 10 3 /μL. Bobtail lizards housed outdoors had lower PCV s than indoor‐housed animals. Bobtails with hemogregarine infections had lower PCV s than noninfected lizards. Conclusions Ranges for CBC data were often very wide, influenced by preanalytic and analytic factors. Hemogregarine infection is associated with a decreased PCV , suggesting that some hemogregarine species are pathogenic in this population.