ABSTRACT

The effects of dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and lithium heparin on hematologic values of yellow-blotched map turtles, Graptemys flavimaculata, were compared. Ten animals confiscated by the Department of Natural Resources, Georgia had blood drawn from the occipital sinus as part of a health evaluation. Length and width of red blood cells were compared between different treatment groups (EDTA, lithium heparin and fresh blood). A complete blood count and hemoparasite examination were performed on each anticoagulated sample. There were no significant differences in lengths between groups, but widths were significantly smaller (P<0.05) in anticoagulated blood smears than in fresh blood smears. Using a paired t test, EDTA and lithium heparin samples were significantly different (P<0.05) for packed cell volume percentage, plasma protein, white blood cell count, heterophils, eosinophils, monocytes, azurophils, and combined monocytes and azurophils counts. The data showed that EDTA is a superior anticoagulant for hematology in the yellow-blotched map turtle.