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Biochemical analysis of blood is a useful diagnostic tool. It is often necessary to prioritise the components of a profile because of the small volume of blood submitted. Consider the following tests.

Biochemical analysis of blood is a useful diagnostic tool. It is often necessary to prioritise the components of a profile because of the small volume of blood submitted. Consider the following tests.

==Total protein==

==Total protein==

Plasma proteins include [[Albumin|albumins]] (prealbumin and albumin) and globulins (alpha, beta and gamma fractions). [[Albumin|Albumin]] is the principal factor in maintaining the oncotic pressure of blood. Antibodies migrate primarily in the gamma fraction. Protein electrophoresis separates the fractions. In normal reptiles, TP values generally vary between 30–80 g/l. Hypoproteinaemia and hyperproteinaemia are usually indicators of disease. Measurement of TP is an important diagnostic test but perhaps more useful is TP in association with protein electrophoresis. Ranges for protein electrophoresis are becoming available for bird and non-domestic mammal species.

Plasma proteins include [[Albumin|albumins]] (prealbumin and [[Albumin|albumin]]) and globulins (alpha, beta and gamma fractions). [[Albumin|Albumin]] is the principal factor in maintaining the oncotic pressure of blood. Antibodies migrate primarily in the gamma fraction. Protein electrophoresis separates the fractions. In normal reptiles, TP values generally vary between 30–80 g/l. Hypoproteinaemia and hyperproteinaemia are usually indicators of disease. Measurement of TP is an important diagnostic test but perhaps more useful is TP in association with protein electrophoresis. Ranges for protein electrophoresis are becoming available for bird and non-domestic mammal species.

===Hypoproteinaemia===

===Hypoproteinaemia===

Hypoproteinaemia is often associated with malnutrition. Other causes include blood loss, gastrointestinal problems, chronic hepatopathies or chronic [[Lizard and Snake Renal Disease|renal disease]].  Physiological increases, primarily a hyperglobulinaemia, may occur in healthy female reptiles in active folliculogenesis due to the presence of the yolk precursor, vitellin, in the blood.  Following ovulation the protein level returns to normal. Pathological increases in TP are usually associated with either dehydration or hyperglobulinaemia related to inflammatory, primarily infectious, disease. Alpha globulins may increase with tissue necrosis and decrease with severe hepatic disease, malnutrition and malabsorption. Beta globulins may increase with [[Lizard and Snake Renal Disease|kidney disease]].

Hypoproteinaemia is often associated with malnutrition. Other causes include blood loss, gastrointestinal problems, chronic hepatopathies or chronic [[Lizard and Snake Renal Disease|renal disease]].  Physiological increases, primarily a hyperglobulinaemia, may occur in healthy female reptiles in active folliculogenesis due to the presence of the yolk precursor, vitellin, in the blood.  Following ovulation the protein level returns to normal. Pathological increases in TP are usually associated with either dehydration or hyperglobulinaemia related to inflammatory, primarily infectious, disease. Alpha globulins may increase with tissue necrosis and decrease with severe hepatic disease, malnutrition and malabsorption. Beta globulins may increase with [[Lizard and Snake Renal Disease|kidney disease]].