Determination of Plasma Osmolality and Agreement Between Measured and Calculated Values in Healthy Adult Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Determination of plasma osmolality is useful for determining proper administration of fluid therapy. In many reptilian species, the normal plasma osmolality is unknown. To prevent detrimental fluid shifts, knowledge of a patient's osmolality is imperative. The purpose of this study was to determine plasma osmolality in 11 healthy adult male bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and to validate plasma osmolality equations that are used to calculate osmolality in other species. Venipuncture was performed via the ventral coccygeal vein, and plasma biochemical profiles were obtained from a point of care chemistry analyzer. Calculated plasma osmolality was determined using the following equations: 2 (Na+ + K+), (2 [Na+ + K+]) + (Glu/18), (2 [Na+ + K+]) + (UA/16.8) + (Glu/18), and 1.86 (Na+) + Glu/18 + UA/2.8 + 9. Plasma osmolality was measured in duplicate with a freezing-point depression osmometer, and the mean value was calculated for the two osmolality measurements. Measured and calculated plasma osmo...