@article{schlake_cassady_gruber_minter_2023, title={Effect of Prolonged Serum Storage Time and Varied Temperatures on Biochemical Values in African Savanna Elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>)}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2673-5636"]}, DOI={10.3390/jzbg4010002}, abstractNote={Blood samples are routinely collected from wild populations in remote locations with limited electricity, minimal diagnostic capabilities, and extreme environmental conditions. Under these conditions, serum samples may be stored for prolonged time under varied temperatures prior to processing, which could affect the ability to interpretation the results. This study’s objective was to evaluate the effects of delayed processing of serum samples and varied storage temperatures on biochemical values in African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana). Blood samples were collected from six elephants managed by the North Carolina Zoo. For each elephant, seven red top tubes were collected. One serum sample for each elephant was analyzed on Day 0 (control group). The remaining samples were stored under different temperatures including room temperature (23 °C), refrigeration (2.2 °C), and incubation (32.2 °C), with samples from each temperature group being analyzed on Day 5 and Day 10. Many of analytes (10 out of 18) did not change significantly regardless of storage temperature or time. Refrigeration improved stability in an additional four analytes over prolonged storage. We conclude that if serum is properly separated shortly after collection, many serum biochemical analytes can be accurately measured even after suboptimal serum storage, but refrigeration and prompt evaluation are still required for some analytes.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS}, author={Schlake, Emily L. and Cassady, Katherine R. and Gruber, Erika J. and Minter, Larry J.}, year={2023}, month={Mar}, pages={12–20} }
 @article{gregory_hubbard_schlake_mejia_passingham_lewbart_harrison_2022, title={EVALUATION OF PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR INJURED TURTLES PRESENTING TO A WILDLIFE CLINIC}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1937-2825"]}, DOI={10.1638/2020-0200}, abstractNote={Abstract: The Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine currently sees over 500 chelonian cases a year. Each turtle receives a thorough physical examination as the main evaluation of its health because further diagnostics are cost prohibitive in a donation-based facility. Thus, there is a need to further understand how a few economical diagnostics can evaluate the prognosis of chelonians. The objectives were to evaluate lactate, PCV, total solids, glucose, temperature, and HR as prognostic indicators in multiple chelonian species and to determine how the change in lactate concentrations over a 24 h period affects prognosis. Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), river cooters (Pseudemys concinna), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), and common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) were evaluated because of prevalence of presentation to the TRT, differences in habitat, and differences in physiology. Hyperlactatemia, an increased lactate over 24 h when the initial lactate concentration was greater than 5 mM/L, and anemia were determined to be significant prognostic indicators of mortality for all turtles, and hypoglycemia was a significant prognostic indicator of mortality for male turtles (P < 0.05).}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Gregory, Taylor M. and Hubbard, Cassidy and Schlake, Emily and Mejia, Daniel and Passingham, Kent R. and Lewbart, Gregory A. and Harrison, Tara M.}, year={2022}, month={Mar}, pages={209–213} }