Improving captive herpetoculture

With the support of Fluker Farms, Dr. Mitchell has established reference ranges for four popular species of reptiles, including the green iguana, bearded dragon, Mali uromastyx, and Chinese water dragon. The reference range determined for the green iguanas was based on a sample of greater than 120 animals. Complete blood counts, plasma biochemistries, and blood gases were determined for these lizards.

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A blood sample being collected from the jugular vein of an adult green iguana for the hematologic study.	Calculating the iguana heterophil and eosinophil numbers using an eosinophil unopette system on a hemocytometer. The red cells are the heterophils and eosinophils
A heterophil (red cell) and monocyte (blue cell) from a green iguana.	A green iguana eosinophil.