Variations in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of captive tortoises (Testudo species)
- K. Eatwell, BVSc, DZooMed, MRCVS1
- 1 Division of Clinical Veterinary Services, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG
- kevin.eatwell{at}ed.ac.uk
Abstract
The concentration of ionised calcium was measured in the plasma of 13 Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri), nine spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca ibera), two marginated tortoises (Testudo marginata) and six Horsfield's tortoises (Testudo horsfieldi) maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the UK. The numbers were too small to analyse the differences between the species, sexes or the time of the year statistically, but the concentrations of ionised calcium were generally higher in all the tort oises in the samples taken in August than in the samples taken in March and June
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