Shannon Diruzzo, P. Praschag, Lisa A. Miller, Micah Brodsky
Abstract An adult, wild-caught, intact female Aubry's flapshell turtle (Cycloderma aubryi), that had been in the collection for 21 months, presented with rapid onset of multifocal, tan-white, 1.5 cm and smaller, crateriform, ulcerated lesions on the carapace and plastron. Empirical antibiotic therapy, initiated on the suspicion of an infectious etiology, yielded no clinical improvement and the disease progressed. Multifocal osteomyelitis was visible deep to the dermatological lesions on the carapace and plastron on computed tomography (CT) imaging, and culture results included Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter (Alcaligenes) xylosoxidans. Two months after surgical debridement and ostectomy, healing of lesions was incomplete and slow to progress. Photobiomodulation (PBM) was initiated on some of the lesions, and the treated lesions showed grossly visible indications of progressive healing after 17 days; there were no indications of healing in the untreated lesions. All lesions were subsequently treated with PBM, and the patient made a full recovery. This case report describes successful treatment of severe ulcerative dermatitis in a softshell turtle using advanced imaging (CT), surgical debridement and ostectomy, supportive care, husbandry modifications, and PBM. This report highlights that PBM can be a valuable therapeutic tool that should be considered for treatment of ulcerative dermatitis in softshell turtles, especially in patients with delayed wound healing or chronic dermatologic lesions.
{"title":"Successful Treatment of Severe Ulcerative Dermatitis in an Aubry's Flapshell Turtle (Cycloderma aubryi )","authors":"Shannon Diruzzo, P. Praschag, Lisa A. Miller, Micah Brodsky","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract An adult, wild-caught, intact female Aubry's flapshell turtle (Cycloderma aubryi), that had been in the collection for 21 months, presented with rapid onset of multifocal, tan-white, 1.5 cm and smaller, crateriform, ulcerated lesions on the carapace and plastron. Empirical antibiotic therapy, initiated on the suspicion of an infectious etiology, yielded no clinical improvement and the disease progressed. Multifocal osteomyelitis was visible deep to the dermatological lesions on the carapace and plastron on computed tomography (CT) imaging, and culture results included Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter (Alcaligenes) xylosoxidans. Two months after surgical debridement and ostectomy, healing of lesions was incomplete and slow to progress. Photobiomodulation (PBM) was initiated on some of the lesions, and the treated lesions showed grossly visible indications of progressive healing after 17 days; there were no indications of healing in the untreated lesions. All lesions were subsequently treated with PBM, and the patient made a full recovery. This case report describes successful treatment of severe ulcerative dermatitis in a softshell turtle using advanced imaging (CT), surgical debridement and ostectomy, supportive care, husbandry modifications, and PBM. This report highlights that PBM can be a valuable therapeutic tool that should be considered for treatment of ulcerative dermatitis in softshell turtles, especially in patients with delayed wound healing or chronic dermatologic lesions.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"7 1","pages":"262 - 270"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83109314","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}
Abstract The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is often disregulated during critical illness or following traumatic injury, and both elevated and reduced glucocorticoid levels have been associated with poor prognoses in multiple species. In eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), hyperlactatemia has been identified as a negative prognostic indicator, prompting the question of whether glucocorticoids become elevated in this species during hospitalization. This study examines the role of corticosterone in relation to lactate, other blood-based parameters, and triage scores during hospitalization of eastern box turtles with traumatic injuries on survival at 24 h, 1 wk, and 1 month. Eastern box turtles with higher triage scores had lower survival at 24 h and at 1 month, and lactate concentration at admission was associated negatively with survival at 24 h. Turtles in which plasma corticosterone levels increased in the first 24 h were more likely to die in the first week than turtles in which corticosterone decreased or remained the same, but this was not statistically significant. The results of this study demonstrate the potential role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in survival of eastern box turtles with traumatic injuries.
{"title":"Corticosterone, Lactate, and Injury Severity as Short-Term and Long-Term Prognostic Indicators in Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with Traumatic Injuries Admitted to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic","authors":"Emily K. Tucker-Retter, G. Lewbart","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is often disregulated during critical illness or following traumatic injury, and both elevated and reduced glucocorticoid levels have been associated with poor prognoses in multiple species. In eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), hyperlactatemia has been identified as a negative prognostic indicator, prompting the question of whether glucocorticoids become elevated in this species during hospitalization. This study examines the role of corticosterone in relation to lactate, other blood-based parameters, and triage scores during hospitalization of eastern box turtles with traumatic injuries on survival at 24 h, 1 wk, and 1 month. Eastern box turtles with higher triage scores had lower survival at 24 h and at 1 month, and lactate concentration at admission was associated negatively with survival at 24 h. Turtles in which plasma corticosterone levels increased in the first 24 h were more likely to die in the first week than turtles in which corticosterone decreased or remained the same, but this was not statistically significant. The results of this study demonstrate the potential role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in survival of eastern box turtles with traumatic injuries.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"140 1","pages":"281 - 290"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72643105","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}
Mitsuhiro Ikeda, H. Kondo, Y. Iwata, N. Tsunesumi, Miho Kameda, Daiki Hotta, H. Shibuya
Abstract An estimated 6-yr-old female leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) presented with a raised spherical mass on the head. Grossly, the skin overlying the mass was smooth, with a focal area of ulceration. Histologically, the dermis was expanded by a well-demarcated, poorly cellular single expansile cyst. The cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and was filled with an accumulation of tightly packed lamellar keratin with regular folding, resembling keratinization of the epidermis. Neither cellular nor nuclear atypia was observed, and there were no mitotic figures in the lining epithelium. The histopathological findings were consistent with an epidermal cyst. To the best of the authors' knowledge, an epidermal cyst in the dermis of the head has not been documented previously in a captive leopard gecko.
{"title":"Epidermal Cyst on the Head of a Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)","authors":"Mitsuhiro Ikeda, H. Kondo, Y. Iwata, N. Tsunesumi, Miho Kameda, Daiki Hotta, H. Shibuya","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract An estimated 6-yr-old female leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) presented with a raised spherical mass on the head. Grossly, the skin overlying the mass was smooth, with a focal area of ulceration. Histologically, the dermis was expanded by a well-demarcated, poorly cellular single expansile cyst. The cyst was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and was filled with an accumulation of tightly packed lamellar keratin with regular folding, resembling keratinization of the epidermis. Neither cellular nor nuclear atypia was observed, and there were no mitotic figures in the lining epithelium. The histopathological findings were consistent with an epidermal cyst. To the best of the authors' knowledge, an epidermal cyst in the dermis of the head has not been documented previously in a captive leopard gecko.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"59 1","pages":"259 - 261"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86983347","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}
Samantha Johnson, L. Adamovicz, E. Kessler, M. Allender
Abstract The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle species in North America and is classified as state endangered in Illinois. Head start programs that include health assessments and pathogen detection are being conducted to restore this species to its historic range. Physical examinations and oral and cloacal swabs were collected from 97 head start alligator snapping turtles prerelease and from 58 recaptured turtles postrelease in 2014. Conventional polymerase chain reaction and sequencing targeting the RNA polymerase beta subunit gene and the 16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer detected a single prerelease individual with Mycoplasma sp. with closest relation to Mycoplasma spp. of other freshwater turtles. This individual did not display any clinical signs at the time of release or sampling. Mycoplasmosis has been characterized as a disease of conservation concern in tortoises and may represent a threat to small and fragmented chelonian populations. Findings of this study indicate that Mycoplasma sp. DNA is present in an Illinois alligator snapping turtle, and future investigation into the impact of this infection may support conservation efforts.
{"title":"Mycoplasma sp. Detection in the State Endangered Illinois Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)","authors":"Samantha Johnson, L. Adamovicz, E. Kessler, M. Allender","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00041","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is the largest freshwater turtle species in North America and is classified as state endangered in Illinois. Head start programs that include health assessments and pathogen detection are being conducted to restore this species to its historic range. Physical examinations and oral and cloacal swabs were collected from 97 head start alligator snapping turtles prerelease and from 58 recaptured turtles postrelease in 2014. Conventional polymerase chain reaction and sequencing targeting the RNA polymerase beta subunit gene and the 16S-23S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer detected a single prerelease individual with Mycoplasma sp. with closest relation to Mycoplasma spp. of other freshwater turtles. This individual did not display any clinical signs at the time of release or sampling. Mycoplasmosis has been characterized as a disease of conservation concern in tortoises and may represent a threat to small and fragmented chelonian populations. Findings of this study indicate that Mycoplasma sp. DNA is present in an Illinois alligator snapping turtle, and future investigation into the impact of this infection may support conservation efforts.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"62 1","pages":"277 - 280"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89770041","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}
E. Littman, Kyra J. Berg, Robyn N. Goldberg, D. Guzman
Abstract A 1-yr-old intact female inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented approximately 24 h after observed ingestion of a marble. Orthogonal whole-body radiographs with and without contrast revealed a spherical radiopaque foreign body within the gastric lumen and no passage of contrast material beyond the foreign body, suggestive of pyloric outflow obstruction. The complete blood count showed mild basophilia, and plasma biochemical analysis revealed a moderately elevated creatine kinase. The bearded dragon was placed under general anesthesia, and a rigid endoscope was used to visualize the foreign body at the level of the pylorus. The marble foreign body was suctioned and removed orally using a red rubber catheter and a Luer-lock syringe. The patient recovered uneventfully from the procedure and was sent home with sucralfate and omeprazole after 2 days of hospitalization. This report provides a novel, nonsurgical method for removing smooth spherical foreign bodies from the proximal gastrointestinal tract of bearded dragons. The technique may apply to various small-to-medium–sized reptiles or amphibians that present with spherical foreign bodies.
{"title":"Endoscope-Guided Marble Foreign Body Removal Technique in an Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)","authors":"E. Littman, Kyra J. Berg, Robyn N. Goldberg, D. Guzman","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-22-00001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A 1-yr-old intact female inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented approximately 24 h after observed ingestion of a marble. Orthogonal whole-body radiographs with and without contrast revealed a spherical radiopaque foreign body within the gastric lumen and no passage of contrast material beyond the foreign body, suggestive of pyloric outflow obstruction. The complete blood count showed mild basophilia, and plasma biochemical analysis revealed a moderately elevated creatine kinase. The bearded dragon was placed under general anesthesia, and a rigid endoscope was used to visualize the foreign body at the level of the pylorus. The marble foreign body was suctioned and removed orally using a red rubber catheter and a Luer-lock syringe. The patient recovered uneventfully from the procedure and was sent home with sucralfate and omeprazole after 2 days of hospitalization. This report provides a novel, nonsurgical method for removing smooth spherical foreign bodies from the proximal gastrointestinal tract of bearded dragons. The technique may apply to various small-to-medium–sized reptiles or amphibians that present with spherical foreign bodies.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"6 1","pages":"253 - 258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79462742","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}
Ana Lia Gomes, Rui Patrício, F. Seixas, J. Requicha
Abstract Cytological analyses of the oral cavity are necessary for the identification and correct evaluation of lesions in this anatomical region. Literature on this subject in reptiles is scarce, in contrast to other species kept as pets. The main objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate the normal cytological characteristics of the oral cavity of inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Twenty-eight clinically healthy inland bearded dragons, including juveniles and adult males and females, from private collections were evaluated. Oral samples from the tongue and palate were obtained from each animal. Slides were stained with modified Wright–Giemsa stain and analyzed under an optical microscope. The contents of the slides were mostly hypocellular, with no evidence of microbiological overgrowth or inflammation, and showed mostly keratinized squamous cells; basal epithelial cells were seldom observed. Occasionally, goblet cells were observed in tongue samples, but were rare in palate samples. The results of this study contribute to a better characterization of the normal oral mucosa of inland bearded dragon and are in accordance with the few previously published studies.
{"title":"Cytological Characterization of the Oral Cavity of the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)","authors":"Ana Lia Gomes, Rui Patrício, F. Seixas, J. Requicha","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00024","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cytological analyses of the oral cavity are necessary for the identification and correct evaluation of lesions in this anatomical region. Literature on this subject in reptiles is scarce, in contrast to other species kept as pets. The main objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate the normal cytological characteristics of the oral cavity of inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Twenty-eight clinically healthy inland bearded dragons, including juveniles and adult males and females, from private collections were evaluated. Oral samples from the tongue and palate were obtained from each animal. Slides were stained with modified Wright–Giemsa stain and analyzed under an optical microscope. The contents of the slides were mostly hypocellular, with no evidence of microbiological overgrowth or inflammation, and showed mostly keratinized squamous cells; basal epithelial cells were seldom observed. Occasionally, goblet cells were observed in tongue samples, but were rare in palate samples. The results of this study contribute to a better characterization of the normal oral mucosa of inland bearded dragon and are in accordance with the few previously published studies.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"31 1","pages":"230 - 235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77855768","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}
Abstract Vitamin D is an essential hormone that can be acquired via the diet, exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, or a combination of both. Studies in reptiles suggest that the acquisition of vitamin D can vary between species; thus, species-specific evidence-based research should be pursued to develop appropriate husbandry recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine whether artificial UVB could be used to increase circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) concentrations in juvenile Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). Sixteen juvenile Blanding's turtles from an ongoing headstart program at the DuPage County Forest Preservation District (Wheaton, IL, USA) were used for this study. The Blanding's turtles were randomly divided into two groups of eight by using a random number generator. The treatment group was exposed to light from three compact UVB 23-W fluorescent bulbs 12 h/day for 6 months, whereas the control group was not provided supplemental UVB lighting. Bulbs were placed 15.2 cm (6 in) from the water surface. A radiometer was used to measure UVB radiation 15.2 cm from the bulb surface on days 0 and 180. Blood samples were collected at a single time point (day 180) to measure 25-OHD3 concentrations. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in plasma 25-OHD3 concentrations between groups, with 25-OHD3 concentrations being 5.5 times higher in the UVB group than in the controls. Based on the results of this study, we recommend exposing juvenile Blanding's turtles to artificial UVB as part of their standard care.
{"title":"Effects of Artificial Ultraviolet B Radiation on Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Concentrations in Juvenile Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)","authors":"Amanda Hoskins, Daniel Thompson, M. Mitchell","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00039","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Vitamin D is an essential hormone that can be acquired via the diet, exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, or a combination of both. Studies in reptiles suggest that the acquisition of vitamin D can vary between species; thus, species-specific evidence-based research should be pursued to develop appropriate husbandry recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine whether artificial UVB could be used to increase circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) concentrations in juvenile Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). Sixteen juvenile Blanding's turtles from an ongoing headstart program at the DuPage County Forest Preservation District (Wheaton, IL, USA) were used for this study. The Blanding's turtles were randomly divided into two groups of eight by using a random number generator. The treatment group was exposed to light from three compact UVB 23-W fluorescent bulbs 12 h/day for 6 months, whereas the control group was not provided supplemental UVB lighting. Bulbs were placed 15.2 cm (6 in) from the water surface. A radiometer was used to measure UVB radiation 15.2 cm from the bulb surface on days 0 and 180. Blood samples were collected at a single time point (day 180) to measure 25-OHD3 concentrations. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in plasma 25-OHD3 concentrations between groups, with 25-OHD3 concentrations being 5.5 times higher in the UVB group than in the controls. Based on the results of this study, we recommend exposing juvenile Blanding's turtles to artificial UVB as part of their standard care.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"3 1","pages":"225 - 229"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89221342","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}
Megan L. Cabot, Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten, Dustin C Smith, Frank N. Ridgley, L. J. Minter
Abstract Plasma biochemistry tests are routine diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine that require an understanding of the enzyme activity profiles of individual organs for accurate interpretation. Tissue enzyme activity has been found to vary among and within taxa and has not been described in the marine toad (Rhinella marina). This study measured enzyme activities in the plasma, liver, heart, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal system, kidney, and pancreas of five marine toads, to evaluate the tissue specificity of analytes commonly included on plasma biochemical analysis. In the marine toad, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase activities were not specific to one organ, with minimal ALT activity measured in any organ tissue. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in heart tissues and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was significantly higher in pancreatic tissues than in all other organ tissues, and plasma. GGT activity in the kidney was also significantly higher than that found in plasma, but not all other tissues. Amylase and lipase were highest in the plasma. Creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were specific to skeletal muscle, with significant LDH activity also found in cardiac tissue. This information will be vital to the interpretation of plasma biochemistry analysis in the marine toad and shows similarities to tissue enzyme activity in the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), suggesting extrapolation to other anurans is possible.
{"title":"Characterizing Tissue Enzyme Activities in the Marine Toad (Rhinella marina)","authors":"Megan L. Cabot, Kimberly D. Ange-van Heugten, Dustin C Smith, Frank N. Ridgley, L. J. Minter","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Plasma biochemistry tests are routine diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine that require an understanding of the enzyme activity profiles of individual organs for accurate interpretation. Tissue enzyme activity has been found to vary among and within taxa and has not been described in the marine toad (Rhinella marina). This study measured enzyme activities in the plasma, liver, heart, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal system, kidney, and pancreas of five marine toads, to evaluate the tissue specificity of analytes commonly included on plasma biochemical analysis. In the marine toad, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase activities were not specific to one organ, with minimal ALT activity measured in any organ tissue. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in heart tissues and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity was significantly higher in pancreatic tissues than in all other organ tissues, and plasma. GGT activity in the kidney was also significantly higher than that found in plasma, but not all other tissues. Amylase and lipase were highest in the plasma. Creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were specific to skeletal muscle, with significant LDH activity also found in cardiac tissue. This information will be vital to the interpretation of plasma biochemistry analysis in the marine toad and shows similarities to tissue enzyme activity in the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), suggesting extrapolation to other anurans is possible.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"4 1","pages":"219 - 224"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91517298","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}
Roger Domingo Ollé, I. Sevilla, C. Juan-Sallés, J. Garrido, Jordi Jiménez Santamaría
Abstract In recent years, many nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species have been recognized as pathogens for humans and animals. Molecular diagnostic techniques enable rapid identification and characterization of the different species of mycobacteria. NTM are inhabitants of the soil and water, and enter the body through a defect in the skin or mucosa, causing infections in immunocompromised subjects. Mycobacteriosis has been described in reptiles, especially in chelonians, but the incidence seems to be low in captivity. To date, mycobacteriosis has been described only in three tortoise species. This report involves a captive Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) diagnosed with cloacal mycobacteriosis and subsequent systemic dissemination by histopathology and PCR. A Mycobacterium sp. belonging to the M. terrae complex was identified as the etiologic agent, and this is the first report of infection in reptiles by this organism.
{"title":"Mycobacterial Cloacitis with Systemic Dissemination in a Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)","authors":"Roger Domingo Ollé, I. Sevilla, C. Juan-Sallés, J. Garrido, Jordi Jiménez Santamaría","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00033","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In recent years, many nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species have been recognized as pathogens for humans and animals. Molecular diagnostic techniques enable rapid identification and characterization of the different species of mycobacteria. NTM are inhabitants of the soil and water, and enter the body through a defect in the skin or mucosa, causing infections in immunocompromised subjects. Mycobacteriosis has been described in reptiles, especially in chelonians, but the incidence seems to be low in captivity. To date, mycobacteriosis has been described only in three tortoise species. This report involves a captive Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) diagnosed with cloacal mycobacteriosis and subsequent systemic dissemination by histopathology and PCR. A Mycobacterium sp. belonging to the M. terrae complex was identified as the etiologic agent, and this is the first report of infection in reptiles by this organism.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"44 1","pages":"162 - 170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88760083","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}
Abstract Nutrition is an important aspect of inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) health, and improper diet is thought to be a predisposing factor for many health disorders. The objective of this study was to survey owners of bearded dragons to learn more about their feeding practices and supplement use. Self-selecting bearded dragon owners were invited to participate in the survey if they were >18 yr of age or had guardian consent and resided in Canada or the United States. A survey titled “Nutritional Survey of Bearded Dragon Dietary Habits in North America” was available online following research ethics board approval from the University of Guelph, Canada. In total, 405 responses representing subadult and adult bearded dragons were evaluated. The most common diet offered consisted of 1–25% larval and adult insects (each) and 51–75% plant material. Approximately one half of the survey participants, especially the younger respondents, were feeding diets with <50% plant material and >50% insects. Berries were the most common plant material offered, superworms (Zophobas morio) and hornworms (Manduca sexta) were the most common larval insects offered, and house crickets (Acheta domesticus) were the most common adult insects offered. Insects were commonly dusted with calcium, vitamin D3, and multivitamins, but plant material was not dusted. These results highlighted the requirment for the development of clear nutritional guidelines outlining the type, quantity, and frequency of food items and supplements offered and the requirement of further investigations to determine the ideal diet for this common pet lizard.
{"title":"Survey of Feeding Practices and Supplement Use in Pet Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) of the United States and Canada","authors":"Trinita K Barboza, S. Abood, H. Beaufrère","doi":"10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5818/JHMS-D-21-00018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Nutrition is an important aspect of inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) health, and improper diet is thought to be a predisposing factor for many health disorders. The objective of this study was to survey owners of bearded dragons to learn more about their feeding practices and supplement use. Self-selecting bearded dragon owners were invited to participate in the survey if they were >18 yr of age or had guardian consent and resided in Canada or the United States. A survey titled “Nutritional Survey of Bearded Dragon Dietary Habits in North America” was available online following research ethics board approval from the University of Guelph, Canada. In total, 405 responses representing subadult and adult bearded dragons were evaluated. The most common diet offered consisted of 1–25% larval and adult insects (each) and 51–75% plant material. Approximately one half of the survey participants, especially the younger respondents, were feeding diets with <50% plant material and >50% insects. Berries were the most common plant material offered, superworms (Zophobas morio) and hornworms (Manduca sexta) were the most common larval insects offered, and house crickets (Acheta domesticus) were the most common adult insects offered. Insects were commonly dusted with calcium, vitamin D3, and multivitamins, but plant material was not dusted. These results highlighted the requirment for the development of clear nutritional guidelines outlining the type, quantity, and frequency of food items and supplements offered and the requirement of further investigations to determine the ideal diet for this common pet lizard.","PeriodicalId":16054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery","volume":"99 1","pages":"187 - 197"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86953859","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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