Cytological Characterization of the Oral Cavity of the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

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.