Name
Establishing Reference Intervals for Capillary Flow Electrophoresis in Pogona Vitticeps
Description
This study aimed to evaluate capillary flow protein electrophoresis results from 120 healthy bearded dragons to establish a reference interval for this diagnostic modality. We intend to evaluate if our reference interval is comparable to reference intervals established using gel electrophoresis, and whether reference intervals differ based on signalment. Protein electrophoresis is considered the gold standard for accurately assessing albumin and globulin levels in avian and reptile species. Common biochemical albumin assays used in mammals, such as bromocresol green, often produce inaccurate albumin values and miscalculate globulins in these taxa (Comolli, 2021). Accurate protein quantification is essential for diagnosing and monitoring patients with inflammatory or infectious conditions. A previous study established reference intervals in wild bearded dragons using gel electrophoresis (Jaensch, 2022). Capillary flow electrophoresis offers several advantages over gel electrophoresis, including better repeatability and more accurate subfractionation of globulin populations and pre-albumin (Roman, 2013). Plasma samples were collected from captive, clinically healthy bearded dragons between 2021 and 2026. All samples were submitted by veterinarians, most of whom collected blood from the caudal tail vein. Samples were discarded if there were visible signs of dilution or compromised quality. All samples were processed at Cornell University School of Veterinary medicine using capillary flow protein electrophoresis. Results were evaluated by two clinical pathologists, and samples were discarded if they were deemed abnormal.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)