Studien zur Physiologie und Pathologie der Hämostase bei Schmuckschildkröten und grünen Leguanen

Plasmatic clotting times and number of thrombocytes were
established in clinically healthy slider turtles and green iguanas
as well as in animals with clinically conspicious symptoms. The
used commercial reagents for prothrombin time, activated partial
thromboplastin time and thrombin time proved reliable for the
analysis of reptilian blood. The steel ball coagulo-meter as well
as the coagulometer according to Schnitger and Gross can be used
for meassuring. Altogether 239 blood samples of clinically healthy
slider turtles were analysed and evaluated for genus, species,
gender, age and season. Furthermore 67 clinically incon-spicuous
green iguanas were available for the coagulation analysis. For the
evaluation of the results the influence of age and gender were
taken into consideration. For slider turtles as well as for green
iguanas reference values for the three clotting parameters could be
established because of the relatively close correspondence of the
values determined twice in each sample and in repetition. In order
to receive correct results it is of great importance to
intermeadiatly analyse citrate plasma samples. Reference factors
for the number of thrombocytes of green iguanas and slider turtles,
which were manually counted, could also be defined. Apart from the
coagulation diagnostics the examination of clinical blood chemistry
and haematological blood parameters in animals with pathological
changes gave important clues for the aetiology of hemostatic
disorders, which were proved by the histological results of
dissected patients. Serious hepatic dysfunctions mostly lead to a
reduced synthesis of coagu-lation factors and therefore to
coagulopathies. It is important to take into consideration that
clinically evident symptoms do not always have to be connected with
prolonged plasmatic clotting times. Hypovitaminosis k, disseminated
intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia and vasopathies can
also cause bleeding disorders. The results of the verification of
the success of therapy of green iguanas, which were clinical-ly as
well as laboratory diagnostically conspicous, coincide with the
empirical experiences and show, that Phytomenadion for treatment of
hypovitaminosis k is also suitable in reptile medicine. The control
of the clotting time after application of Konakion (orally or
intra-muscular) in slider turtles with increased parameters, which
in most cases could be attributed to a reduced liver function,
showed, that Phytomenadion has an at least temporary positive
impact on the regeneration of the liver and in many cases lead to
an improvement of values. In comparison to untreated animals the
effect was especially apparent in the activated partial
thromboplastin time.