title: Effects of duration of capture and sample handling on critical care blood analytes in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine effects of duration of capture and sample-handling procedures on blood analytes in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  154 free-ranging bottlenose dolphins of various ages and both sexes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were drawn from each dolphin within 10 minutes of capture and before release and analyzed by use of a portable analyzer with a single-use 8-analyte disposable cartridge. Analyte values were compared according to duration between sample acquisition and analysis (time to run [TTR]) and duration between net encirclement and sample acquisition (time to bleed [TTB]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither TTB nor TTR significantly affected sodium or chloride concentration. Potassium concentration was not significantly affected by TTR, whereas the effect of TTB was significant. Glucose, total CO(2), HCO(3), Hct, and base excess of extracellular fluid values were significantly affected by TTR. Increased TTB resulted in significantly increased total CO(2), HCO(3), and base excess when TTR was kept within 10 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effect of TTB on certain acid-base and electrolyte values was readily measured in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins, and such values may provide a reference range for those variables.
authors.affiliation: Ocean Embassy Inc., 6433 Pinecastle Blvd, Orlando, FL 32809, USA.
authors.forename: René A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwacke
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fair
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Bossart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000097:blood*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000662:veterinary; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes; D002245:Carbon Dioxide