Clinical value of blood glucose concentrations in a large population of unhealthy client-owned chelonians.

Interpret chelonian blood glucose values within the context of species, disease type, and organ system involved.

This retrospective cohort study evaluated blood glucose concentrations across 967 unhealthy client-owned chelonians to determine how clinical diagnosis influences glycemia. The study population was predominantly red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans, n=413) and African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata, n=102). Using generalized linear models with multivariable adjustment, the authors identified significant associations between disease category, organ system involvement, and blood glucose concentrations. Compared to chelonians with traumatic conditions, those with infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, neoplastic, or vascular diseases exhibited blood glucose concentrations 33.3% to 48.2% lower. Regarding organ system involvement, chelonians with urinary tract disease had significantly higher glucose concentrations compared to those with other organ systems affected, where glucose was 16.4% to 61.9% lower. Notably, chelonians with hyperuricemia demonstrated blood glucose concentrations 47.8% higher than those without hyperuricemia, a clinically relevant finding. No significant associations were identified between glucose concentrations and gout, dystocia, or urolithiasis. The study highlights that blood glucose in chelonians is not a static parameter but varies meaningfully based on disease type, organ involvement, species, and other clinical factors. These findings underscore the importance of contextual interpretation of blood glucose results in chelonian patients, as isolated values without clinical context may be misleading. Clinicians should integrate species-specific reference ranges, appetite status, and primary diagnosis when evaluating glycemia in this taxonomic group.

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