title: Metabolic and respiratory derangements associated with death in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii): 32 cases (2005-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess selected clinicopathologic variables at hospital admission (day 1) for cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that died during the first 3 days after admission (nonsurvivors) and turtles that survived (survivors) and to determine the percentage change of each variable from day 1 to day of death (nonsurvivors) or to day 2 or 3 of hospitalization (survivors).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study. Animals-64 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles hospitalized from October 2005 through December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood gas, pH, Hct, and selected biochemical values in blood samples determined on day 1 and day of death (nonsurvivors; n = 32) or day 2 or 3 of hospitalization (survivors; 32) were obtained from medical records. For each variable, initial values and percentage changes (from initial values to values at the day of death or day 2 or 3 of hospitalization) were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with blood analysis findings for survivors, nonsurvivors initially had significantly higher potassium concentration and Pco(2) and significantly lower Po(2), pH, and bicarbonate concentration than did survivors. For the first 2 or 3 days of hospitalization, percentage changes in potassium, lactate, and ionized calcium concentrations were significantly higher and percentage changes in pH and plasma glucose and bicarbonate concentrations were significantly lower in nonsurvivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At hospital admission, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles were affected by metabolic and respiratory derangements; severe derangements were associated with death. Evaluation of blood gas, pH, Hct, and selected clinicopathologic variables provided useful clinical and prognostic information during rehabilitation of cold-stunned Kemp's ridley turtles.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, Ross University, West Farm, Saint Kitts, West Indies.
authors.forename: Krista A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Innis
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Tlusty
authors.forename: Adam E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bean
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cavin
authors.forename: Constance
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merigo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002423:Cause of Death; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056727:Endangered Species; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012119:Respiration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood*