engleski

Diurnal variations of complete blood count in black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)

The hemogram of reptilian patients is influenced by many internal and external factors which can significantly affect the hematological parameters in healthy animals during whole year. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of time of the day on the complete blood count in the Black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus). Blood from four Black rat snakes was collected in the morning and in the evening. After each collection the following parameters were evaluated: hematocrit, red blood cells count, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte indices and differential leukocyte count on the blood smear. Statistical difference between hematological parameters in the morning and the evening was determined by Student t-test. The established differences in blood parameters in the evening were not statistically significant to those in the morning. The results of hematological parameters of the Black rat snake can be beneficial for further research of physiological and pathological variations in complete blood count of snakes in purpose of estimating health conditions and for detecting various diseases.

hematology, snakes, diurnal variations

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