The yellow-marginated box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) is critically endangered and very few studies have been performed to aid the conservation effort. This study reports the first complete analysis of blood parameters for this species and will provide a reference for future conservation studies. Hematology and biochemistry reference range values were established from 52 (18 males and 35 females) clinically healthy yellow-marginated box turtles (C. flavomarginata). In order to investigate the gender and seasonal differences in these ranges, blood samples were collected from the jugular veins of the turtles in January, April, July, and October to represent the four seasons. To detect significant variation (P < 0.05), data were analyzed using repeated measurements of analysis of variance. Significant gender differences were observed in red blood cell mass parameters, absolute eosinophils, absolute monocytes, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, uric acid, cholesterol, creatine kinase, glucose, phosphorus (P), total protein, and triglycerides. Marked seasonal variations were noted in red blood cell mass parameters, absolute monocytes, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatine kinase, creatinine, glucose, P, and triglycerides. Primary reasons for the differences between gender and season were associated with reproduction and temperature change. Cuora flavomarginata has lower alanine aminotransferase values compared with other chelonians.

A sub-adult green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was rescued and treated for carapace and plastron shell fractures. The turtle was kept dry-docked for the first 2 months with a placement of a long-term jugular central venous catheter (CVC). Pain management, aggressive antibiotic and anthelmintic therapy, fluid therapy, force feeding, and wound debridement were provided to manage the shell fractures and control bacteremia. Human albumin was administered to treat severe hypoalbuminemia. On day 59, small budding yeasts were noted on the blood smears. Candidemia was confirmed by blood culture, as the yeasts were identified as Candida palmioleophila by the molecular multi-locus identification method. The CVC was removed, and the patient was treated with itraconazole. Although the carapace and plastron wounds had epithelized by 5.5 months after the rescue, the turtle died unexpectedly by 7.5 months. The postmortem examination revealed numerous necrogranulomas with intralesional yeasts, morphologically compatible with Candida spp., in joints, bones, brain, and lungs, suggestive of disseminated candidiasis. We describe a rare case of candidemia in the veterinary field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of candidiasis caused by C. palmioleophila in a reptile. The present results should improve veterinary medical care and, therefore, enhance the conservation of endangered sea turtle species.

Background: The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the yellow pond turtleMauremys muticato be an endangered species. Hematologic analyses are useful tools for monitoring the health, disease processes, and physiologic status of reptiles by clinicians and conservationists. The objectives of this study were to measure plasma biochemical values in healthy captive yellow pond turtles, determine reference values, and evaluate the effects of sex and season on the results. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 53 adult captive individuals (18 males and 35 females) in four different months that represented summer, winter, fall, and spring in Taiwan. Plasma biochemical assays were performed using an automatic analyzer. Descriptive statistics and distributions of each data variable were analyzed using SAS software.Results: Hematological and plasma biochemical reference values of the yellow pond turtle were determined in this study. There were no significant sex differences in hematological values; however, there were seasonal differences, and interactions between sex and season were observed. In females, lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid, calcium, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher than in males. There were seasonal differences but no sex and season interactions in serum biochemical values.Conclusions: This information can serve as baseline reference data for future health assessment studies of free-ranging and captiveM. mutica, and for epidemiologic, conservation, and captive-breeding studies.