Abstract

The western pond turtle is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the species is limited to the west coast of the United States and Mexico, ranging from Washington state to northern Baja California.⁴ It is a common wildlife patient in veterinary hospitals and wildlife rehabilitation centers within its geographic range.^2,4 Two populations in northern California, a free-ranging population from a university campus habitat (n=20) and a captive population from a zoological collection (n=10), were sampled in September 2011. Complete blood cell counts, plasma biochemistries, and Salmonella spp. cultures from cloacal swabs were performed. Individual parameter values that were noted to be significantly different between the two populations included heterophil, azurophil, eosinophil and monocyte counts, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, calcium, glutamate dehydrogenase, globulin, sodium, total protein, and uric acid concentrations. Parameter values that were noted to be significantly different between male and female individuals within the free-ranging population included creatine kinase and phosphorus concentrations. Salmonella cloacal cultures from all turtles were negative and many of the values obtained in this study are similar to those published for other Emydid turtles.^1,3,5,6 The hematologic and plasma biochemistry values reported for this free-ranging population may be used as reference interval for this species; however, differences between the two populations investigated highlights how factors including nutrition and environmental quality may induce changes in commonly evaluated hematologic and plasma biochemical parameters.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank and acknowledge Adam Clause (John Muir Institute of the Environment, UC Davis), Deana Clifford (CDFG), and the staff at the Micke Grove Zoo, Lodi, CA.

Literature Cited

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