Venous Blood Gases of Captive Red Foot Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)

Blood gas analysis evaluates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs and provides important information since the state of balance of these gases directly influences the acid-basic balance of the body. Due to the necessity of blood gas parameter measurement for Brazilian reptiles, venous blood gas was determined in captive red foot tortoises. In the present study, 19 animals were used, 8 males and 11 females. Blood was obtained from the dorsal coccygeal vein from the tail, and the analysis was performed immediately after blood collection. The blood parameters pH, PO2, HCO3, TCO2, BEecf, Na, K, ICa, and Glu were compared between females and males, and the values of pH, pCO2, and pO2 were compared with and without temperature correction. A significant difference was observed for the saturation of oxygen and sodium levels between sexes, with higher mean values in males. Furthermore, it was possible to infer that the lower the body temperature in relation to the environment, the greater the pH difference with temperature correction.