Clinical pathology of amphibians: a review |
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| Authors: | María J Forzán Jill Heatley Karen E Russell Barbara Horney |
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| Institution: | 1. Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada;2. Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada;3. Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL, USA;4. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA |
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| Abstract: | Amphibian declines and extinctions have worsened in the last 2 decades. Partly because one of the main causes of the declines is infectious disease, veterinary professionals have increasingly become involved in amphibian research, captive husbandry, and management. Health evaluation of amphibians, free‐living or captive, can benefit from employing the tools of clinical pathology, something that is commonly used in veterinary medicine of other vertebrates. The present review compiles what is known of amphibian clinical pathology emphasizing knowledge that may assist with the interpretation of laboratory results, provides diagnostic recommendations for common amphibian diseases, and includes RIs for a few amphibian species estimated based on peer‐reviewed studies. We hope to encourage the incorporation of clinical pathology in amphibian practice and research, and to highlight the importance of applying veterinary medicine principles in furthering our knowledge of amphibian pathophysiology. |
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| Keywords: | Amphibian clinical chemistry clinical pathology hematology reference intervals review |
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