Pub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.5818/1529-9651-31.4.321
An 8-year-old freshwater common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) presented with a solid, reddened, nonmobile mass on the right forelimb that was reported to develop one week prior to presentation. The 6 3 4 3 3.5 cm mass was surgically excised and found to have a thin membranous lining. Histopathology revealed a completely excised mass with some infiltrative growth and up to 18 mitotic figures in 10 high-power fields. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma using the criteria developed for humans and dogs. This mass was not positive for a-smooth muscle actin, which supports the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, but failed to show presence of one or more skeletal muscle specific markers. Transmission electron microscopy was used to demonstrate the presence of myofilament tangles and attenuated Z-lines, which helped affirm a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. These findings, along with positive staining on Azan stain and indistinct cytoplasmic cross-striations on Masson trichrome staining, added to the diagnosis. This is the first known reported case of rhabdomyosarcoma in a freshwater turtle.
{"title":"Capsule Reports","authors":"","doi":"10.5818/1529-9651-31.4.321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-31.4.321","url":null,"abstract":"An 8-year-old freshwater common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) presented with a solid, reddened, nonmobile mass on the right forelimb that was reported to develop one week prior to presentation. The 6 3 4 3 3.5 cm mass was surgically excised and found to have a thin membranous lining. Histopathology revealed a completely excised mass with some infiltrative growth and up to 18 mitotic figures in 10 high-power fields. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma using the criteria developed for humans and dogs. This mass was not positive for a-smooth muscle actin, which supports the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, but failed to show presence of one or more skeletal muscle specific markers. Transmission electron microscopy was used to demonstrate the presence of myofilament tangles and attenuated Z-lines, which helped affirm a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. These findings, along with positive staining on Azan stain and indistinct cytoplasmic cross-striations on Masson trichrome staining, added to the diagnosis. This is the first known reported case of rhabdomyosarcoma in a freshwater turtle.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"1 1","pages":"321 - 322"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89638605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Á. R. Souza, Amanda M. Huffman, J. Muñoz-Pérez, Shelly L Vaden, R. Díaz, Gabriel Vasquez, Kyle A. Donnelly, D. Páez-Rosas, G. Lewbart
Abstract Cross-matching of the giant tortoise of San Cristóbal (Chelonoidis chathamensis) was employed to determine if erythrocyte agglutination occurs in individuals with no transfusion history after exposure to plasma from a conspecific individual. The main islands in the Galápagos archipelago are inhabited by unique species of tortoises. On the largest island, Isabela, there are multiple species isolated by volcanic formations creating unique separate ecosystems. With plans to begin the reintroduction of C. chathamensis into the wild, as well as the recent rediscovery of the Fernandina giant tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus), appropriate veterinary care is paramount, and having every medical contingency, especially vehicular/tortoise interaction, under consideration is important. Cross-matching the San Cristóbal giant tortoise was a first step in exploring the compatibility of blood transfusions between conspecifics. Blood was drawn from the jugular vein of 20 juvenile tortoises with the use of a heparinized syringe and each sample was coded. The blood was centrifuged, the erythrocytes washed (five times), and then the erythrocyte pellet and plasma were used for the major cross-match procedure. The erythrocytes represented the “donor” tortoise and the plasma represented the “recipient” tortoise. Each tortoise was cross-matched against itself as an auto control and then 1–5 times against another randomly assigned individual at two incubation temperatures, 23°C (73.4°F) and 34°C (93.2°F). No agglutination was found in any of the trials. As predicted, fibrin and thrombocyte clumps occurred in all trials. Additional research that includes different species of tortoises is the next important step to enhance our knowledge of antigen compatibilities.
{"title":"Cross-Matching the San Cristóbal Galápagos Tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis)","authors":"Á. R. Souza, Amanda M. Huffman, J. Muñoz-Pérez, Shelly L Vaden, R. Díaz, Gabriel Vasquez, Kyle A. Donnelly, D. Páez-Rosas, G. Lewbart","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-07-2020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-07-2020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cross-matching of the giant tortoise of San Cristóbal (Chelonoidis chathamensis) was employed to determine if erythrocyte agglutination occurs in individuals with no transfusion history after exposure to plasma from a conspecific individual. The main islands in the Galápagos archipelago are inhabited by unique species of tortoises. On the largest island, Isabela, there are multiple species isolated by volcanic formations creating unique separate ecosystems. With plans to begin the reintroduction of C. chathamensis into the wild, as well as the recent rediscovery of the Fernandina giant tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus), appropriate veterinary care is paramount, and having every medical contingency, especially vehicular/tortoise interaction, under consideration is important. Cross-matching the San Cristóbal giant tortoise was a first step in exploring the compatibility of blood transfusions between conspecifics. Blood was drawn from the jugular vein of 20 juvenile tortoises with the use of a heparinized syringe and each sample was coded. The blood was centrifuged, the erythrocytes washed (five times), and then the erythrocyte pellet and plasma were used for the major cross-match procedure. The erythrocytes represented the “donor” tortoise and the plasma represented the “recipient” tortoise. Each tortoise was cross-matched against itself as an auto control and then 1–5 times against another randomly assigned individual at two incubation temperatures, 23°C (73.4°F) and 34°C (93.2°F). No agglutination was found in any of the trials. As predicted, fibrin and thrombocyte clumps occurred in all trials. Additional research that includes different species of tortoises is the next important step to enhance our knowledge of antigen compatibilities.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"47 1","pages":"315 - 320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85282475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-30DOI: 10.5818/JHMS-D-20-00014.1
Anaïs Sailler, N. Chai, P. Huberdeau, L. Sabatier, Thierry Scotti, R. Boistel
Abstract A wild-caught mature female marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) was presented for a left-sided dorsal swelling. No other abnormalities were detected during the examination. Fine-needle aspiration was non-diagnostic. Baseline hematological and biochemical analyses were within normal reference ranges, and medical imaging did not provide further useful information. Surgical exploration under general anesthesia was performed. The swelling was confirmed to be a digestive tract hernia protruding through a breach of the dorsal muscles and coelomic membrane. Reduction of the hernia was made difficult by the presence of multiple adhesions between the herniated tissue and the coelomic membrane, suggesting a relatively chronic lesion. A traumatic cause was hypothesized. One month later, the animal was considered healed and released back into the wild. Hernias in amphibians are poorly reported in the literature and historically are only found ventrally. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a dorsal hernia in a captive or a wild amphibian.
{"title":"Surgical Management of a Digestive Tract Hernia in a Wild Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)","authors":"Anaïs Sailler, N. Chai, P. Huberdeau, L. Sabatier, Thierry Scotti, R. Boistel","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-20-00014.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-20-00014.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A wild-caught mature female marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) was presented for a left-sided dorsal swelling. No other abnormalities were detected during the examination. Fine-needle aspiration was non-diagnostic. Baseline hematological and biochemical analyses were within normal reference ranges, and medical imaging did not provide further useful information. Surgical exploration under general anesthesia was performed. The swelling was confirmed to be a digestive tract hernia protruding through a breach of the dorsal muscles and coelomic membrane. Reduction of the hernia was made difficult by the presence of multiple adhesions between the herniated tissue and the coelomic membrane, suggesting a relatively chronic lesion. A traumatic cause was hypothesized. One month later, the animal was considered healed and released back into the wild. Hernias in amphibians are poorly reported in the literature and historically are only found ventrally. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a dorsal hernia in a captive or a wild amphibian.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"36 1","pages":"292 - 295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90084342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Leineweber, S. Öfner, K. Mathes, H. Piepho, R. Marschang, A. Stöhr
Thyroid hormones and the factors influencing them are rarely studied in tortoises. This study therefore aimed to calculate reference intervals (RI) for specific species, sexes, and seasons for thyroid hormones and iodine levels in blood of four adult Mediterranean tortoise species and to evaluate possible correlations between thyroid hormones, serum iodine, plasma protein and increased liver and kidney values. Thyroid hormones (total tetraiodothyronine [tT4], free tetraiodothyronine [fT4], total triiodothyronine [tT3], and free triiodothyronine [fT3]) were measured in plasma from adult, healthy Hermann´s (Testudo hermanni, n = 255), spur-thighed (Testudo graeca, n = 89), marginated (Testudo marginata, n = 72), and Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii, n = 30). Species, sex and season specific variations were determined by Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and correlations between plasma thyroid hormones, protein, iodine and increased liver/kidney values were evaluated by Spearman’s rank correlation test. Total T4 did not reveal any species, sex, or seasonal differences (RI 0.102 to 0.455 µg/dL), while seasonal differences were found for fT4 (RI spring 0.624 to 9.012; summer 0.379 to 5.476; fall 0.376 to 5.426 pmol/L). The tT3 levels differed significantly depending on species, season, and the interaction of species x season. Seasonal differences were also found for fT3 and iodine. Several significant (p < 0.05) correlations were detected between the tested analytes, especially positive correlations between tT4 and fT4. These results provide a tool for the evaluation of thyroid hormone levels in Mediterranean tortoises and indicate the influence of season on the thyroid in these animals.
很少对乌龟的甲状腺激素及其影响因素进行研究。因此，本研究旨在计算特定种类、性别和季节的四种地中海成年龟血液中甲状腺激素和碘水平的参考区间(RI)，并评估甲状腺激素、血清碘、血浆蛋白与肝脏和肾脏值升高之间可能的相关性。测定了成年、健康赫尔曼龟(hermanni Testudo, n = 255)、刺足龟(Testudo graeca, n = 89)、边缘龟(Testudo marginata, n = 72)和俄罗斯象龟(Testudo horsfieldii, n = 30)血浆中的甲状腺激素(总四碘甲状腺原氨酸[tT4]、游离四碘甲状腺原氨酸[fT4]、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸[tT3]、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸[fT3])。采用贝叶斯信息准则(BIC)确定物种、性别和季节特异性变化，采用Spearman秩相关检验评估血浆甲状腺激素、蛋白质、碘与肝肾值升高之间的相关性。总T4不存在物种、性别和季节差异(RI为0.102 ~ 0.455µg/dL)，而fT4存在季节差异(RI为0.624 ~ 9.012;夏季0.379 ~ 5.476;下降0.376至5.426 pmol/L)。不同物种、不同季节、不同物种与不同季节的交互作用对tT3含量有显著影响。fT3和碘也存在季节性差异。被测分析物之间存在显著相关(p < 0.05)，特别是tT4和fT4之间存在正相关。这些结果为评估地中海陆龟的甲状腺激素水平提供了工具，并表明季节对这些动物甲状腺的影响。
{"title":"Thyroid hormone levels in Tortoises (Testudo spp.) depending on Season and Sex","authors":"C. Leineweber, S. Öfner, K. Mathes, H. Piepho, R. Marschang, A. Stöhr","doi":"10.5818/jhms-d-21-00025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/jhms-d-21-00025","url":null,"abstract":"Thyroid hormones and the factors influencing them are rarely studied in tortoises. This study therefore aimed to calculate reference intervals (RI) for specific species, sexes, and seasons for thyroid hormones and iodine levels in blood of four adult Mediterranean tortoise species and to evaluate possible correlations between thyroid hormones, serum iodine, plasma protein and increased liver and kidney values. Thyroid hormones (total tetraiodothyronine [tT4], free tetraiodothyronine [fT4], total triiodothyronine [tT3], and free triiodothyronine [fT3]) were measured in plasma from adult, healthy Hermann´s (Testudo hermanni, n = 255), spur-thighed (Testudo graeca, n = 89), marginated (Testudo marginata, n = 72), and Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii, n = 30). Species, sex and season specific variations were determined by Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and correlations between plasma thyroid hormones, protein, iodine and increased liver/kidney values were evaluated by Spearman’s rank correlation test. Total T4 did not reveal any species, sex, or seasonal differences (RI 0.102 to 0.455 µg/dL), while seasonal differences were found for fT4 (RI spring 0.624 to 9.012; summer 0.379 to 5.476; fall 0.376 to 5.426 pmol/L). The tT3 levels differed significantly depending on species, season, and the interaction of species x season. Seasonal differences were also found for fT3 and iodine. Several significant (p < 0.05) correlations were detected between the tested analytes, especially positive correlations between tT4 and fT4. These results provide a tool for the evaluation of thyroid hormone levels in Mediterranean tortoises and indicate the influence of season on the thyroid in these animals.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85156483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Raquel Doke, Kara Hiebert, Melanie Repella, Megan Stuart, Lauren E. Mumm, John M Winter, L. Adamovicz, G. Glowacki, E. Kessler, M. Allender
Abstract Few studies have characterized the prevalence of intraerythrocytic parasites in free-ranging chelonian populations or their occurrence across habitats. It is hypothesized that chelonians in different habitats have different exposures to vectors and thus differences in hemoparasite presence. This study explored the prevalence and intensity of intraerythrocytic parasites by examining blood smears from four species of Illinois turtles: wild Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), and prerelease head-started alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Intraerythrocytic parasites were identified in all examined species except for the alligator snapping turtle. For all age classes, Blanding's turtles had both the highest prevalence of hemoparasites and the highest intensity of infection of all sampled species, whereas adult Blanding's turtles had a significantly higher prevalence than juveniles (P < 0.05). Because this is the first study of hemoparasites in Illinois chelonians, further research is needed to identify the specific species of intraerythrocytic parasite, the potential vectors, and the effect that these hemoparasites have on the health of chelonians.
{"title":"Prevalence of Intraerythrocytic Parasites in Macrochelys temminckii, Emydoidea blandingii, Terrapene carolina, and Terrapene ornata","authors":"Raquel Doke, Kara Hiebert, Melanie Repella, Megan Stuart, Lauren E. Mumm, John M Winter, L. Adamovicz, G. Glowacki, E. Kessler, M. Allender","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-S-20-00017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-S-20-00017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Few studies have characterized the prevalence of intraerythrocytic parasites in free-ranging chelonian populations or their occurrence across habitats. It is hypothesized that chelonians in different habitats have different exposures to vectors and thus differences in hemoparasite presence. This study explored the prevalence and intensity of intraerythrocytic parasites by examining blood smears from four species of Illinois turtles: wild Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), ornate box turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), and prerelease head-started alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Intraerythrocytic parasites were identified in all examined species except for the alligator snapping turtle. For all age classes, Blanding's turtles had both the highest prevalence of hemoparasites and the highest intensity of infection of all sampled species, whereas adult Blanding's turtles had a significantly higher prevalence than juveniles (P < 0.05). Because this is the first study of hemoparasites in Illinois chelonians, further research is needed to identify the specific species of intraerythrocytic parasite, the potential vectors, and the effect that these hemoparasites have on the health of chelonians.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"38 1","pages":"56 - 62"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86681584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-06DOI: 10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00026.2
Eliana Foltin, K. Keller
Abstract Nannizziopsis guarroi infection in lizards presents therapeutic challenges, with reports of poor clinical outcomes, including antifungal toxicity, incomplete clearance of infection, and recrudescence of infection being common. The case presented here describes the successful treatment of an N. guarroi infection using systemic terbinafine and environmental disinfection in a captive-bred central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). The lizard presented with darkly colored cutaneous lesions, and mycologic culture samples were identified as N. guarroi using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight. Based upon the lack of clinical resolution of cutaneous lesions, weight loss, and reduced appetite, initial treatment with voriconazole was discontinued. Terbinafine was prescribed, and weekly environmental disinfection with sodium hypochlorite was initiated until cutaneous clearance of the fungus was confirmed by negative culture, histopathology, and N. guarroi quantitative polymerase chain reaction from cutaneous swab. Terbinafine treatment was discontinued after 80 days. There were no clinical signs of toxicity associated with the prolonged treatment, and the lizard has not developed any cutaneous lesions or illness in more than 2 yr of clinical follow-up. Although the ideal treatment of N. guarroi is still being investigated, this case demonstrates a promising and safe treatment option for an increasingly common and devastating disease.
{"title":"Successful Treatment of Nannizziopsis guarroi Infection Using Systemic Terbinafine in a Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)","authors":"Eliana Foltin, K. Keller","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00026.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00026.2","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Nannizziopsis guarroi infection in lizards presents therapeutic challenges, with reports of poor clinical outcomes, including antifungal toxicity, incomplete clearance of infection, and recrudescence of infection being common. The case presented here describes the successful treatment of an N. guarroi infection using systemic terbinafine and environmental disinfection in a captive-bred central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). The lizard presented with darkly colored cutaneous lesions, and mycologic culture samples were identified as N. guarroi using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight. Based upon the lack of clinical resolution of cutaneous lesions, weight loss, and reduced appetite, initial treatment with voriconazole was discontinued. Terbinafine was prescribed, and weekly environmental disinfection with sodium hypochlorite was initiated until cutaneous clearance of the fungus was confirmed by negative culture, histopathology, and N. guarroi quantitative polymerase chain reaction from cutaneous swab. Terbinafine treatment was discontinued after 80 days. There were no clinical signs of toxicity associated with the prolonged treatment, and the lizard has not developed any cutaneous lesions or illness in more than 2 yr of clinical follow-up. Although the ideal treatment of N. guarroi is still being investigated, this case demonstrates a promising and safe treatment option for an increasingly common and devastating disease.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"13 1","pages":"20 - 25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87802513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
An estimated 29-year-old male, desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) under professional care presented for endoscopic liver biopsies as part of a diagnostic work-up for recurrent, profound anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Suspected cystoliths were identified during endoscopy but were not visible on contemporary radiographs. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) imaging confirmed the presence of a large urate urolith filling the majority of the bladder. Due to the recent clinical illness, the tortoise was considered a poor surgical candidate. Medical management consisting of urinary alkalinization with potassium citrate, vibration therapy, and daily warm water soaks was elected. Following institution of medical therapies, the tortoise began passing pieces of urate stone that were 0.25-2.0cm in diameter during daily soaks. A recheck DECT scan at two months indicated the urolith was approximately 1/3 the initial size, suggesting medical therapy was effectively treating the urolith. Unfortunately, after five months of medical therapy, the stone had increased in size again on the follow-up DECT scan. This case report suggests that medical management may be a potential option for large urate cystoliths in desert tortoises, though more research is needed to further refine effective therapeutics for such cases. The use of dual-energy CT imaging was essential in this case as it enabled confirmation of stone presence, identification of urolith composition, and monitoring of response to therapy.
{"title":"Dual Energy Computed Tomography for Diagnosis and Monitoring Attempted Medical Management of a Large Urate Urolith in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)","authors":"Jessica Eisenbarth, D. Gauntt, Anne E. Rivas","doi":"10.5818/jhms-s-20-00016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/jhms-s-20-00016","url":null,"abstract":"An estimated 29-year-old male, desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) under professional care presented for endoscopic liver biopsies as part of a diagnostic work-up for recurrent, profound anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Suspected cystoliths were identified during endoscopy but were not visible on contemporary radiographs. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) imaging confirmed the presence of a large urate urolith filling the majority of the bladder. Due to the recent clinical illness, the tortoise was considered a poor surgical candidate. Medical management consisting of urinary alkalinization with potassium citrate, vibration therapy, and daily warm water soaks was elected. Following institution of medical therapies, the tortoise began passing pieces of urate stone that were 0.25-2.0cm in diameter during daily soaks. A recheck DECT scan at two months indicated the urolith was approximately 1/3 the initial size, suggesting medical therapy was effectively treating the urolith. Unfortunately, after five months of medical therapy, the stone had increased in size again on the follow-up DECT scan. This case report suggests that medical management may be a potential option for large urate cystoliths in desert tortoises, though more research is needed to further refine effective therapeutics for such cases. The use of dual-energy CT imaging was essential in this case as it enabled confirmation of stone presence, identification of urolith composition, and monitoring of response to therapy.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"104 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87770231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-25DOI: 10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00022.1
Dawn M. Zimmerman, Jennifer H. Yu, W. Schaftenaar, L. Debnar, D. Reavill, M. Garner, M. Mitchell
Abstract Metastatic soft tissue mineralization has emerged as a major cause of death in captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). A cross-sectional survey-based study was performed to evaluate husbandry-related risk factors for metastatic mineralization in zoo-housed Komodo dragons in the United States. Nineteen institutions participated, nine of which (47.4%) had a history of metastatic mineralization within their collections. Husbandry at participating institutions varied in temperature gradients, outdoor exposure, artificial lighting, and diet items offered. Differences in husbandry were tested between institutions with and without a history of mineralization by using univariate analyses, and variables resulting in a significance level of ≤0.10 were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model. The only variable demonstrating a significant difference during univariate analyses was the number of Komodo dragons per enclosure (P = 0.036), whereas the only significant predictive variable after modeling was humidity approximation. Zoos that approximated rather than measured humidity were 12.0 times as likely to have a history of mineralization in their Komodo dragons (odds ratio [OR] = 12.0, P = 0.045). These variables likely reflect the under- or overestimation of exhibit humidity levels and the tendency to house males and females together. Based on postmortem findings for 27 Komodo dragon mortalities from these institutions, the presence of mineralization at necropsy was significantly associated with female dragons (OR = 18.2, P = 0.0044) and yolk coelomitis or embolism (OR = 6.76, P = 0.046). Although this study did not identify definitive links between husbandry and the prevalence of mineralization at the institutional level, the survey revealed high variation in husbandry conditions and potential deficiencies in management based on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria guidelines.
转移性软组织矿化已成为圈养科莫多巨蜥(Varanus komodoensis)死亡的主要原因。在美国进行了一项基于横断面调查的研究，以评估动物园饲养的科莫多龙转移性矿化的丈夫相关危险因素。19家机构参与，其中9家(47.4%)在其藏品中有转移性矿化史。参与机构的畜牧业在温度梯度、室外暴露、人工照明和提供的饮食项目方面各不相同。采用单因素分析检验有无矿化史的机构在畜牧业方面的差异，将显著性水平≤0.10的变量输入多项logistic回归模型。在单变量分析中，唯一显示显着差异的变量是每个围场的科莫多巨蜥数量(P = 0.036)，而建模后唯一显着的预测变量是湿度近似。估算湿度而不是测量湿度的动物园的科莫多龙有矿化史的可能性是其12.0倍(优势比[OR] = 12.0, P = 0.045)。这些变量可能反映了对展品湿度水平的低估或高估，以及雄性和雌性一起居住的趋势。根据这些机构对27例死亡的科莫多巨蜥的尸检结果，尸检时矿化的存在与雌性巨蜥(OR = 18.2, P = 0.0044)和卵黄腔炎或栓塞(OR = 6.76, P = 0.046)显著相关。虽然这项研究没有在制度层面上确定畜牧业和矿化流行之间的明确联系，但调查显示，根据动物园和水族馆协会和欧洲动物园和水族馆协会的指导方针，畜牧业条件和管理方面的潜在缺陷存在很大差异。
{"title":"Characterizing Husbandry Risk Factors Associated with Metastatic Soft Tissue Mineralization in Zoo-Housed Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) in the United States","authors":"Dawn M. Zimmerman, Jennifer H. Yu, W. Schaftenaar, L. Debnar, D. Reavill, M. Garner, M. Mitchell","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00022.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00022.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Metastatic soft tissue mineralization has emerged as a major cause of death in captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). A cross-sectional survey-based study was performed to evaluate husbandry-related risk factors for metastatic mineralization in zoo-housed Komodo dragons in the United States. Nineteen institutions participated, nine of which (47.4%) had a history of metastatic mineralization within their collections. Husbandry at participating institutions varied in temperature gradients, outdoor exposure, artificial lighting, and diet items offered. Differences in husbandry were tested between institutions with and without a history of mineralization by using univariate analyses, and variables resulting in a significance level of ≤0.10 were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model. The only variable demonstrating a significant difference during univariate analyses was the number of Komodo dragons per enclosure (P = 0.036), whereas the only significant predictive variable after modeling was humidity approximation. Zoos that approximated rather than measured humidity were 12.0 times as likely to have a history of mineralization in their Komodo dragons (odds ratio [OR] = 12.0, P = 0.045). These variables likely reflect the under- or overestimation of exhibit humidity levels and the tendency to house males and females together. Based on postmortem findings for 27 Komodo dragon mortalities from these institutions, the presence of mineralization at necropsy was significantly associated with female dragons (OR = 18.2, P = 0.0044) and yolk coelomitis or embolism (OR = 6.76, P = 0.046). Although this study did not identify definitive links between husbandry and the prevalence of mineralization at the institutional level, the survey revealed high variation in husbandry conditions and potential deficiencies in management based on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria guidelines.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"21 1","pages":"73 - 83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85555961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-11-23DOI: 10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00009.3
Meghan M. Louis, Gregory Scott, Dustin C Smith, B. Troan, L. J. Minter, J. Balko
Abstract Euthanasia techniques in amphibians are poorly described and sparsely validated. This study investigated potassium chloride (KCl) for euthanasia of anesthetized marine toads (Rhinella marina). Twenty-three toads were immersed in buffered MS-222 (2 g/L) for 5 min beyond loss of righting reflex, manually removed, and randomly administered KCl (n = 6/group) via one of three routes: intracardiac at 10 mEq/kg (IC), intracoelomic at 100 mEq/kg (ICe), or immersion at 4,500 mEq/L (IMS) or no treatment (C) (n = 5/group). Doppler sounds were assessed continuously from prior to treatment until 5 min posttreatment and every 5 min thereafter until sound cessation or resumption of spontaneous movement. Plasma potassium concentration (K+) was measured at the time of Doppler sound cessation in ICe and IMS. In IC, ICe, IMS, and C, Doppler sound cessation occurred in 4/6, 6/6, 6/6, and 1/5 toads with median (range) or mean ± SD times of 0.23 (0–4.65), 17.5 ± 9.0, 40.6 ± 10.9, and >420 min, respectively. Nonsuccess in 2/6 toads in IC was suspected due to technique failure. Plasma K+ exceeded the limits of detection (>9 mmol/L) in 12/12 toads in ICe and IMS. Five of six toads in C resumed spontaneous movement at median (range) times of 327 (300–367) min. KCl delivered via an intracardiac, intracoelomic, or immersion route resulted in Doppler sound cessation in 16 of 18 toads and may be appropriate for euthanasia of anesthetized marine toads.
{"title":"Investigation of Potassium Chloride for Euthanasia of Anesthetized Marine Toads (Rhinella marina)","authors":"Meghan M. Louis, Gregory Scott, Dustin C Smith, B. Troan, L. J. Minter, J. Balko","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00009.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00009.3","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Euthanasia techniques in amphibians are poorly described and sparsely validated. This study investigated potassium chloride (KCl) for euthanasia of anesthetized marine toads (Rhinella marina). Twenty-three toads were immersed in buffered MS-222 (2 g/L) for 5 min beyond loss of righting reflex, manually removed, and randomly administered KCl (n = 6/group) via one of three routes: intracardiac at 10 mEq/kg (IC), intracoelomic at 100 mEq/kg (ICe), or immersion at 4,500 mEq/L (IMS) or no treatment (C) (n = 5/group). Doppler sounds were assessed continuously from prior to treatment until 5 min posttreatment and every 5 min thereafter until sound cessation or resumption of spontaneous movement. Plasma potassium concentration (K+) was measured at the time of Doppler sound cessation in ICe and IMS. In IC, ICe, IMS, and C, Doppler sound cessation occurred in 4/6, 6/6, 6/6, and 1/5 toads with median (range) or mean ± SD times of 0.23 (0–4.65), 17.5 ± 9.0, 40.6 ± 10.9, and >420 min, respectively. Nonsuccess in 2/6 toads in IC was suspected due to technique failure. Plasma K+ exceeded the limits of detection (>9 mmol/L) in 12/12 toads in ICe and IMS. Five of six toads in C resumed spontaneous movement at median (range) times of 327 (300–367) min. KCl delivered via an intracardiac, intracoelomic, or immersion route resulted in Doppler sound cessation in 16 of 18 toads and may be appropriate for euthanasia of anesthetized marine toads.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"86 1","pages":"42 - 47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85354139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alan R. Glassman, Kristi M Gamblin, Trevor T. Zachariah
Abstract Lymph contamination of peripheral blood samples is common in reptile species due to a close association of the lymphatic and vascular systems. Grossly lymph-diluted samples are generally discarded due to potential effects on hematologic and biochemical parameters. Differences in biochemistry values from different sample sites in chelonians are often attributed to lymph contamination. Previous studies have evaluated blood–lymph mixtures but provide limited information because the proportion of lymph is unknown. Differences in biochemistry values of pure lymph compared to plasma are unknown in chelonian species. Paired plasma samples collected from the jugular vein and lymph samples collected from the dorsal lymphatic ring adjacent to the subcarapacial plexus were collected from 11 (6 female, 5 male) Krefft's river turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii) for comparison of biochemical analytes. No statistically significant differences were found between lymph and plasma samples for chloride, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, urea nitrogen, and total bilirubin. Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were found between lymph and plasma samples for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein, globulin, and uric acid. Sex and sample differences were statistically significant for sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, and triglycerides, while significant sex differences only were found for alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and iron. Severe lymph dilution (1:1 with plasma) may cause clinically significant decreases of potassium, total protein, globulin, and LDH, and increases of GGT and uric acid in both sexes, as well as clinically significant decreases of calcium and triglycerides in female Krefft's river turtles.
{"title":"Comparison of Biochemistry Values from Plasma and Lymph in Krefft's River Turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii)","authors":"Alan R. Glassman, Kristi M Gamblin, Trevor T. Zachariah","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-20-00017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-20-00017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Lymph contamination of peripheral blood samples is common in reptile species due to a close association of the lymphatic and vascular systems. Grossly lymph-diluted samples are generally discarded due to potential effects on hematologic and biochemical parameters. Differences in biochemistry values from different sample sites in chelonians are often attributed to lymph contamination. Previous studies have evaluated blood–lymph mixtures but provide limited information because the proportion of lymph is unknown. Differences in biochemistry values of pure lymph compared to plasma are unknown in chelonian species. Paired plasma samples collected from the jugular vein and lymph samples collected from the dorsal lymphatic ring adjacent to the subcarapacial plexus were collected from 11 (6 female, 5 male) Krefft's river turtles (Emydura macquarii krefftii) for comparison of biochemical analytes. No statistically significant differences were found between lymph and plasma samples for chloride, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, urea nitrogen, and total bilirubin. Statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were found between lymph and plasma samples for gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein, globulin, and uric acid. Sex and sample differences were statistically significant for sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, and triglycerides, while significant sex differences only were found for alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and iron. Severe lymph dilution (1:1 with plasma) may cause clinically significant decreases of potassium, total protein, globulin, and LDH, and increases of GGT and uric acid in both sexes, as well as clinically significant decreases of calcium and triglycerides in female Krefft's river turtles.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"18 1","pages":"63 - 72"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81698995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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