Injuries, mortality rates, and release rates of endangered vultures admitted to a rehabilitation center in South Africa.

Many chelonians are admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers suffering from traumatic shell injury caused by motor vehicle collisions. The incidence and severity of infection as they heal from shell injuries are currently unknown. To determine if there is a correlation between the severity of traumatic shell injury and the severity of infection in turtle patients, total white blood cell counts (WBCs) and white blood cell differentials were measured in common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), a Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), and a spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). WBCs were not significantly different between severity classes; however, WBCs decreased significantly over time for Severity Class III, and basophil counts for all severity classes were significantly different from one another. The data suggest that severity of injury may not be a proper indicator of susceptibility of turtles to infection after shell trauma. Hematology parameters may not be suitable indicators of infection, and the criteria for administering prophylactic antibiotics to turtles with traumatic shell injury remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]