Plasma samples collected from healthy sand tiger sharks are analyzed for a variety of parameters. In addition to being placed in individual shark records, the results are placed in a database along with data from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and the Virginia Aquarium.
The database produces mean, median and standard deviation values for each of the parameters. These values are produced for sharks from each population and from the pooled animal values. The purpose of this joint project with the Virginia Aquarium is to provide meaningful normal values that will allow us to compare plasma chemistry values of a sick individual with known normal values.
In addition to helping provide quality health care for individual animals the database will allow us to compare the effects of different husbandry systems at various aquariums on plasma chemistry values.
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