Background: Thyroid hormones and capillary zone electrophoresis are rarely studied in reptile medicine.Objectives: The goal of this prospective study was to establish RIs for plasma proteins and thyroid hormones, total tetraiodothyronine (tT4), free T4 (fT4), total triiodothyronine (tT3), and free T3 (fT3), as well as iodine blood levels in red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and map turtles (Graptemysspp.).Methods: Variables were measured over 1 ½ years to determine variations depending on sex and season, as well as any correlations between the parameters. A total of 131 blood samples from red‐eared sliders and 51 blood samples from map turtles were collected from May 2016 to November 2017. The levels of tT4, fT4, and fT3 were measured using standardized autoanalyzer test systems; tT3 was measured by ELISA and iodine inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Total protein was quantitated using the biuret method, and plasma protein fractions were measured using capillary zone electrophoresis.Results: The results showed significant variations in thyroid hormone levels and plasma protein fractions depending on sex and season. Total T4 and fT4 concentrations were significantly (P < .05) correlated in both turtle species and sexes in all seasons. Thyroid hormone levels correlated with blood proteins in a few seasons, including a positive correlation between tT4 and fT4 in female red‐eared sliders in fall and female map turtles in summer and fall.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of considering species, season, and sex variations when interpreting thyroid hormone and plasma protein levels. It also shows that thyroid hormone levels are not always influenced by total protein and albumin.

Reference intervals for clinical chemistry and haematology analytes are essential for the interpretation of blood results, but limited data are available for Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in zoological collections as well as in the wild. The aim of the present study was therefore to establish reference intervals for a series of clinical chemistry and haematology analytes in a single zoological population of Humboldt penguins. Furthermore, possible variations of the analytes influenced by the age and sex of the individuals were investigated. Lithium heparinized plasma and whole blood samples from 39 animals were analysed and statistically evaluated. The following clinical chemistry analytes were significantly higher in females: glutamate dehydrogenase (p = 0.0003), alanine transaminase (p = 0.0005), alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.0245), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.0043), creatine kinase (p = 0.0016), lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.0001), inorganic phosphorus (p = 0.0223), and sodium (p = 0.0415). No significant differences between males and females were found for any haematology analyte. Cholesterol (p = 0.0233; −0.39), white blood cell count (p = 0.0208; −0.40), and absolute heterophiles (p = 0.0148; −0.42) had significant negative correlations with the age of the penguins. The results indicate that the factors of sex and age should be considered when interpreting the results of haematological and clinical biochemistry assays, and further studies are needed to determine whether there are more differences in other age groups or seasons.

Amphibians worldwide are increasingly threatened, with some populations experiencing significant declines. Infectious diseases play a major role in many of these scenarios. Bufonid herpesvirus 1 (BfHV1) and ranid herpesvirus 3 (RaHV3) are both relatively recently discovered pathogens of European amphibians, and their distribution and host species spectrums are not yet fully understood. In the present study, native amphibians were sampled at four locations in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, during the spawning seasons from March to June 2022 and 2023. In total, 611 skin swabs from nine amphibian species were analyzed for BfHV1 and RaHV3 by using PCR. The overall prevalence was 10.64% for BfHV1 and 4.91% for RaHV3. Prevalence varied significantly (P <0.05) between the species tested and the locations: BfHV1 was found in common toads (Bufo bufo, 62.82%), common frogs (Rana temporaria, 12.28%), moor frogs (Rana arvalis, 7.55%), natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita, 4.17%), water frogs (Pelophylax sp., 1.54%), northern crested newts (Triturus cristatus, 1.27%), and smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris, 0.68%), whereas RaHV3 was found in common frogs (43.86%), northern crested newts (3.80%), and smooth newts (1.36%). No macroscopic pathogen-specific skin lesions were noted in any of the animals during sample collection. The role of these herpesviruses in health and disease of native amphibians, as well as the role of various species in their epidemiology, requires further study.

Vitamin A deficiency is common in pond sliders, and vitamin E and B1 deficiencies have also been described in carnivorous aquatic species such as crocodiles, but otherwise little is known about vitamin concentrations in the blood of reptiles, and reference intervals only exist for a few vitamins in a few species. The aim of this study was therefore to measure vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, and E in the heparinized whole blood and plasma of pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) (n = 188) from April to September 2022 using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry. In addition to establishing reference intervals, possible influencing factors, including the season of blood sampling and the sex of the turtles, were evaluated. The median concentrations measured were as follows: vitamin A—0.17 mg/L, B1—59.10 µg/L, B2—693.50 µg/L, B6—2.375 µg/L, B9—16.06 ng/mL, B12—3225.00 pg/mL, and E—7.59 mg/L. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) seasonal variations were found for vitamin A, B1, and B9, and sex-specific variations were found for vitamin E. The results show that factors such as sex and the time of year play a role in vitamin levels in the blood of turtles and should be considered when interpreting blood results. The reference intervals established in the present study serve as a basis for further studies and help to control and improve the vitamin supply of the turtles, contributing to the better husbandry and nutrition of this species in human care.

Clinical health checks including blood testing before brumation in fall are an important tool in reptile medicine and help to reduce the risk of complications during brumation. Electrophoresis may be useful for the evaluation of liver cell function and the detection of antigenic stimulation. The goal of this study was to compare species-specific reference intervals for plasma chemistry analytes and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) for a variety of pet chelonian species in fall. Lithium heparinized samples were collected from 68 clinically healthy spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca), 79 red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), and 30 map turtles (Graptemys spp.) from September to November 2016 and 2017. During the same period, 128 equivalent samples were collected from Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and the obtained data was used for comparison. Chemistry analytes were measured from plasma using an autoanalyzer and electrophoresis was carried out by CZE. Significant variations (P < 0.0001) between the species were found for several analytes including total protein, percent albumin, and albumin: globulin ratio, α-, β-, and γ-globulin, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bile acids, creatine kinase, urea, uric acid, inorganic phosphorus, total calcium, and potassium. The variations in albumin (g/l) measured by CZE were also significant (P = 0.0064). No significant variations were detected for sodium levels. The results demonstrate the importance of species-specific reference intervals and provide reference intervals for the plasma chemistry and capillary zone electrophoresis in three chelonian species.