Use of a point-of-care blood analyzer in the practice of veterinary care for small live stranded cetaceans

A significant number of marine mammal strandings is recorded annually along the Black Sea coast. Most stranded individuals are in critical condition, requiring prompt diagnostic measures and correction of metabolic and electrolyte imbalances. Key parameters for assessing the condition of these cetaceans include acid-base balance (ABB), hematocrit, electrolytes, and blood glucose levels. This paper presents primary blood test results from Black Sea common dolphins (Delphinus delphis ponticus) and Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) stranded on the coast of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol between 2020 and 2025, obtained via a portable i-STAT System rapid blood analyzer. An interpretation of the results and recommendations for correcting abnormalities are provided.