Renal Disease Haemogram and Plasma Biochemistry in Green Iguana
Knotek Z., K. Hauptman, Z. Knotková, P. Hájková, F. Tichý: Renal Disease
Haemogram and Plasma Biochemistry in Green Iguana. Acta Vet. Brno 2002, 71: 333-340.
Haemogram and plasma biochemistry were investigated in 20 green iguanas suffering from
renal disease. Anorexia was present in 15 (75%) patients, frequently associated with
limited hind leg movement (50%). Constipation as a secondary complication of the colon
compression by the enlarged kidneys was observed in 8 (40%) iguanas. Swelling of the hind
legs appeared in 6 iguanas (30%). The post-mortem examination revealed renal oedema,
tubular necrosis, tubular and/or interstitial nephritis, renal gout with tophi formation
in 62.5%, 62.5%, 40.0% and 37.5% iguanas, respectively. Evaluation of the haemogram
revealed in these patients heterophilia, eosinophilia and azurophilia (means 5.3, 0.6 and
0.9 G/l, respectively), the number of heterophils and eosinophils have increased
significantly (p < 0.05). Mean values for the packed cell volume, RBC counts,
WBC counts, basophils and monocytes (0.35 l/l, 1.2 T/l, 12.8, 0.4 and 0.8 G/l,
respectively) were within physiological ranges, the number of lymphocytes (4.7 G/l) was
lower (p < 0.05) than normal ranges for healthy iguanas. Mean values for total
protein, ALT, GGT, glucose, cholesterol, calcium and potassium in plasma were within
physiological ranges for green iguanas. The concentrations of creatinine, AST, uric acid
and phosphorus (61.07 μmol/l, 5.02 μkat/l, 306.70 μmol/l
and 5.95 mmol/l, respectively) in green iguanas with renal disease were increased (p
< 0.05), whereas the activity of ALP (0.38 μkat/l)
was decreased (p < 0.05). As a consequence of the elevated phosphorus
levels the P:Ca ratio has increased significantly to 3.52 (p < 0.05). Evaluation
of the haemogram as well as plasma biochemistry may be regarded as a useful tool in the
diagnosis of renal failure in green iguanas.
Reptiles, kidney, gout, nephritis
Address for correspondence:
Prof. MVDr. Z. Knotek, CSc.
Small Animal Clinic
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Palackého 1-3, CZ - 612 42 Brno
Czech Republic
Phone: + 420 5 4156 2382
Fax: + 420 5 41562382
E-mail: knotekz@vfu.cz
