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[[Image:Iv_injections.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Intravenous blood sampling(Copyright © RVC)]]  

[[Image:Iv_injections.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Intravenous blood sampling(Copyright © RVC)]]  

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 is the principal factor in maintaining the oncotic pressure of blood. Antibodies migrate primarily in the gamma fraction. In normal reptiles, total protein (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 protein electrophoresis which separates the fractions. Ranges for protein electrophoresis are becoming available for bird and non-domestic mammal species.

Plasma proteins include [[Albumin|albumins]] (prealbumin and albumin) and globulins (alpha, beta and gamma fractions). Albumin is the principal factor in maintaining the oncotic pressure of blood. Antibodies migrate primarily in the gamma fraction. In normal reptiles, total protein (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 protein electrophoresis which separates the fractions. Ranges for protein electrophoresis are becoming available for bird and non-domestic mammal species.