Abstract
Background
Captive reptiles often present with clinical signs suggestive of a clotting disorder or severe illness that can induce or exacerbate a coagulopathy. However, coagulopathies in reptiles are difficult to characterize due to lack of species-appropriate reagents to perform coagulation tests. The objective of this study was to develop screening tests to evaluate the extrinsic and common pathways of coagulation in green iguanas (Iguana iguana).
Key Findings
Reptile and avian thromboplastin, extracted from reptile and avian brains, respectively, were used to initiate coagulation in prothrombin time (PT) assays and commercially available reagents were used to determine Russell’s viper venom time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen using the Clauss method. Coagulation assays were performed on citrate-anticoagulated plasma from 18 healthy green iguanas. Results were summarized as median (minimum–maximum): PT (reptile thromboplastin), 34.8 seconds (27.1–42.1 s), PT (avian thromboplastin), 78.5 seconds (51.6–114.23 s), Russell’s viper venom time, 56.15 seconds (18.4–79.7 s), thrombin time, 10 seconds (7.0–36.5 s), and fibrinogen, 258 mg/dl (89–563.0) (2.58 [0.89–5.63 g/L]).
Significance
Commercial reagents can be used to evaluate the common pathway and fibrinogen; however, avian- or reptile-sourced thromboplastin is preferred for a reliable coagulation trigger to perform the PT assay and evaluate the extrinsic pathway.
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, Volume 32, Issue 5, Page 685-689, September/October 2022.Wiley: Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care: Table of Contents