VALIDATION OF LACTATE MEASUREMENT IN AMERICAN FLAMINGO (PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER) PLASMA AND CORRELATION WITH DURATION AND DIFFICULTY OF CAPTURE

Abstract

Capture myopathy and associated death have been reported with capture and restraint of greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) and lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor). In chickens (Gallus gallus), blood lactate concentration levels have been used as indicators of muscle damage. Lactate has also been used to predict survival in humans and dogs. The goals of this study were to validate two common methods for measuring lactate (i-STAT and VetTest analyzers) in flamingo plasma by comparing measurements to a reference analyzer; and to correlate blood lactate concentration levels in captured flamingos with the duration and difficulty of capture as a possible indicator of capture myopathy. Twenty-seven banked flamingo plasma samples were run in triplicate on each of the three blood analyzers. Values from the i-STAT analyzer were consistently lower than those from the ABL analyzer, while values from the VetTest were consistently higher than those from the ABL analyzer. However, there was a good level of correlation between all three analyzers. Two of the three analyzers were determined to have acceptable total allowable error levels, calculated at 3.6% for the ABL and 10.7% for the VetTest. For clinical purposes, both the i-STAT and the VetTest analyzers provide adequate evaluation of lactate levels when serial samples are measured on the same analyzer. After validating the assay, 34 captive flamingos were captured for routine examinations. Blood lactate concentration levels were positively correlated with the length of time of the individual capture, but lactate did not increase significantly as capture difficulty increased. Only one animal was considered to have a difficult capture. No flamingos demonstrated clinical signs of capture myopathy during this study. Further research is required to determine if blood lactate concentration is a useful indicator of capture myopathy.

Haematology and biochemistry of the San Cristóbal Lava Lizard (Microlophus bivittatus)

“…Lactate levels may also be influenced by glucose and oxygen levels ( Gleeson and Dalessio, 1989 ; Bennett, 1973 ), but apparently there is little dependence on body temperature ( Bennett and Litch, 1972 ). In mammal medicine, hyperlactatemia usually correlates with disease severity and mortality ( Gillespie et al , 2016 ) and with capture myopathy and muscle damage in birds ( Burgdorf-Moisuk et al , 2012 ). Little is known, however, about its clinical use in reptile medicine and further study is needed.…”

Evaluating the effect of sample type on American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) analyte values in a point-of-care blood analyser

“…Acid–base and blood gas values are susceptible to changes associated with prolonged sample exposure to aerobic conditions and the time between sample collection and analysis ( Campbell, 2012 ). Furthermore, allowing blood to stand (with or without exposure to aerobic conditions) can influence the results of certain blood and plasma analytes ( Burgdorf-Moisuk et al , 2012 ; Abbott Point of Care Inc., 2013b ). For example, exposure of a blood sample to non-anaerobic conditions allows CO 2 to escape, which contributes to a decrease in P CO 2 and increase in sample pH ( Thrall et al , 2012 ; Abbott Point of Care Inc., 2013c ).…”

Birds: Miscellaneous

“…(1991). The main issues when working with freeliving birds is injury due to struggling, hyperthermia, and exertional rhabdomyolysis (capture myopathy) (Burgdorf-Moisuk et al 2012;Businga et al 2007;Hanley et al 2005;Marco et al 2006;Ruder et al 2012;Windingstad et al 1983;Chapter 13). Restraint and anesthesia time should be minimized by planning and preparation, and rapid processing.…”

“…Prolonged muscle contraction including isometric, will produce heat, lactic academia, and hyperkalemia. Death may occur due to cardiac arrhythmia and muscle injury (capture myopathy or exertional rhabdomyolysis) (Burgdorf-Moisuk et al 2012;Businga et al 2007;Hanley et al 2005;Marco et al 2006;Ruder et al 2012;Windingstad et al 1983;Chapter 13). Physical restraint, whether it be using a towel or gloves, or tying the legs, will also potentially inhibit a bird's ability to dissipate heat.…”