Changes

Protein electrophoresis only requires a very small amount of plasma and may give very useful diagnostic data. Presently specific information in reptiles, let alone snakes, is limited. Extrapolation from results in mammals and birds may be of dubious value but early evaluation shows it to be comparable.

Protein electrophoresis only requires a very small amount of plasma and may give very useful diagnostic data. Presently specific information in reptiles, let alone snakes, is limited. Extrapolation from results in mammals and birds may be of dubious value but early evaluation shows it to be comparable.

==Aspartate aminotranferase==

==Aspartate aminotranferase==

Some species may have higher concentrations of Aspartate aminotranferase (AST) in liver, skeletal muscle and myocardium. AST values are usually less than 250 iu/l.  Increased levels are suggestive of tissue damage, specifically liver or muscle in some species. In association with CP to rule out muscle damage it is a useful test in some species for hepatocellular damage. Generalised diseases, such as trauma, septicaemias and toxaemias, may also elevate AST due to tissues necrosis.

Some species may have higher concentrations of [[Aspartate aminotranferase|Aspartate aminotranferase (AST)]] in liver, skeletal muscle and myocardium. AST values are usually less than 250 iu/l.  Increased levels are suggestive of tissue damage, specifically liver or muscle in some species. In association with CP to rule out muscle damage it is a useful test in some species for hepatocellular damage. Generalised diseases, such as trauma, septicaemias and toxaemias, may also elevate AST due to tissues necrosis.

 

==Creatine kinase==

==Creatine kinase==

Creatine kinase (CK, creatine phosphokinase, CPK) is derived predominantly from skeletal muscle and heart. Normal CK values in association with non-specific tests for hepatocellular damage (AST, LDH) may indicate liver disease.  Plasma CK values increase with muscle damage. CK elevations may be due to rough handling at the time of venipuncture and following the intramuscular injection of some chemotherapeutic agents, especially enrofloxacin.

Creatine kinase (CK, creatine phosphokinase, CPK) is derived predominantly from skeletal muscle and heart. Normal CK values in association with non-specific tests for hepatocellular damage (AST, LDH) may indicate liver disease.  Plasma CK values increase with muscle damage. CK elevations may be due to rough handling at the time of venipuncture and following the intramuscular injection of some chemotherapeutic agents, especially enrofloxacin.