ABSTRACT
Forty-seven captive green iguanas, Iguana iguana, ranging in age from 1.5 to 12 yr were used in this study. All lizards were maintained under similar husbandry conditions for at least three months prior to and following sample collection. The animals were considered clinically normal based on history, physical exam, evaluation of a blood smear, and three-month follow-up communication with the caretaker. Blood was drawn on each animal, and plasma biochemical profiles including aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, uric acid, glucose, phosphorus, calcium, total protein, albumin, globulin, potassium, sodium, and bile acids were obtained using a point-of-care biochemical analyzer. Reference values were established for all samples and compared among females and males. With the establishment of these biochemical reference values, the point-of-care analyzer is clinically useful for the plasma biochemical evaluation of green iguanas.
