Abstract
BackgroundDespite improvements in habitational conditions, kidney disease is relatively common in tortoises.ObjectivesPurpose of this study was the establishment of Symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) reference values for clinically healthy Hermann's Tortoises.AnimalsClinically healthy Hermann's Tortoises (n = 131) were included in the period from October 2017 to September 2019.MethodsCreatinine and other biomarkers were tested at IDEXX Laboratories, Germany using residual blood samples from Hermann's tortoises. SDMA was measured with the IDEXX test and verified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry at IDEXX Laboratories, USA.ResultsSDMA values ranged from 1 to 21 μg/dl (n = 131) for the IDEXX SDMA Test and SDMA values ranged from 1 to 17 μg/dl (n = 82) for LC-MS. For the comparison of the two measuring systems, the following results were obtained R2 = 0.75 (p < 0.001).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceSDMA can be measured in Hermann's Tortoises and the reference values range in clinically healthy animals is comparable to that of dogs and cats.
Highlights
With the growing numbers in reptiles kept as pets, veterinarians will be increasingly challenged with the treatment of these exotic animals
It was revealed that the Greek tortoise and the Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) have a higher incidence of renal disease in clinical examination as well as in necropsy compared to the Afghan tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) and the Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) [5]
The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the measurability of SDMA in reptiles and to establish reference values of SDMA in clinically healthy Hermann’s Tortoises
Summary
With the growing numbers in reptiles kept as pets, veterinarians will be increasingly challenged with the treatment of these exotic animals. Tortoises are prone to kidney diseases [4]. It was found that 64.30% of the animals showed kidney disease as a primary or secondary cause of death [5,6,7]. It was revealed that the Greek tortoise and the Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) have a higher incidence of renal disease in clinical examination as well as in necropsy compared to the Afghan tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii) and the Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) [5]. Non-specific clinicals signs often leads to diagnosis of reduced kidney function at more advanced stages of a chronic disease, resulting a negative outlook for survivability [2, 8, 9]. Despite improvements in habitational conditions, kidney disease is relatively common in tortoises
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