The collection of blood from large softshell turtles, such as the threatened black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans), Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), and the peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum), has been a challenge for researchers because of their aggressive nature and thick skin folds. In this pilot study, a technique was developed for blood collection from these turtles, which involves physical restraint and venipuncture of the brachial venous plexus. The method proved to be effective, efficient, and requires no anesthesia, making it suitable for field studies or on-site collection. Blood samples were successfully collected from 30 turtles captured, and basic hematology and biochemical examinations were performed. Based on our study, this method can be used for both large and small-sized animals and provides a reliable technique for routine health assessments in these species.

A 10-yr-old female sulcata tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) was presented for evaluation of a non-healing wound on her left rostrum. Physical examination revealed a 5-mm × 5-mm defect dorsolateral to the left nares with compacted plant material inside. Intraoral examination revealed a 3-mm × 3-mm keratin defect at the level of the premaxilla with visible compacted plant material. A computed tomographic study was performed and revealed an oronasocutaenous fistula with compression nasomaxillary fractures and left-sided rhinitis and food impaction. A PCR from a nasal flush sample for intranuclear coccidia was negative. The patient underwent general anesthesia for fistula repair. A rhinotomy and a rhinoscopy were performed to aid in the understanding of the extent of the fistula and treatment. The foreign plant material was removed and the cavity cleaned. The fistula was covered over the intraoral keratin defect and along the maxillary tomium with a dental bis-acryl composite resin, and the cutaneous defect was covered with a wound dressing patch. Postoperative plan included a course of tulathromycin for broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage, in addition to meloxicam and tramadol for multimodal analgesia, which was initiated via esophagostomy tube. Subsequent rechecks were conducted at 3 and 7 wk and 7, 8, and 19 months postoperatively, with recheck CT scans performed at the 8th and 19th months for healing monitoring. At the 19-month recheck, the rostral cutaneous lesion was completely healed, and no keratin defect along the oral rhinothecal ridge was found. Recheck CT demonstrated ongoing bone healing. This case documents the diagnosis and successful treatment of an oronasocutaneous fistula in a chelonian.

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a lysosomal enzyme found in renal tubular epithelial cells, the concentration of which can be measured in blood as a possible diagnostic tool to monitor renal disease; however, no reference values are currently available in reptiles. This study investigated the presence of plasma NAG concentrations in three reptile species. Blood samples were obtained from clinically healthy bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps; n = 13), corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus; n = 9) and wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta; n = 13). To assess renal health further, a biochemistry panel was performed for all animals, and renal biopsies were collected from the bearded dragons and snakes, but not from the turtles. Biopsies were not taken from wood turtles to limit the risk associated with anesthetizing an endangered species. Of the 35 animals sampled, 29 were considered healthy and included in the study. Plasma NAG concentrations in the wood turtles were significantly lower than in the corn snakes (P = 0.004) and plasma NAG concentrations in the corn snakes were significantly higher than in bearded dragons (P = 0.038). Wood turtles had the lowest NAG concentrations, followed by bearded dragons and corn snakes. In conclusion, NAG reference intervals should be established for each reptile species, and analyte validation is needed for this assay in reptiles. Further research is needed to establish NAG reliability as a diagnostic tool in reptiles.

Four wild chelonians (two three-toed box turtles [Terrapene triunguis] and two red-eared sliders [Trachemys scripta elegans]) were presented to an academic wildlife rehabilitation center after presumably being hit by a car. Physical examinations revealed various carapace, bridge, and plastron fractures, as well as a lack of motor function of different limbs. A craniodorsal-caudoventral oblique view or caudodorsal-cranioventral oblique radiographic view made at 45° to the frontal plane (Cr45D-CdV and Cd45DCrV oblique views, respectively), along with standard views (i.e., dorsoventral, right lateral, craniocaudal views), were performed. The oblique views allowed for visualization of different pectoral girdle or pelvic girdle fractures that were not visualized or clearly identified on the standard views. Based on the four clinical cases described here, the addition of Cr45D-CdV or Cd45D-CrV oblique views to the standard views may be beneficial, especially when advance imaging such as computed tomography is not available. These oblique views can be used to better assess chelonian pectoral and pelvic girdles because these structures are superimposed in standard radiographs. Future studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of detecting pelvic and pectoral girdle fractures using these views are warranted.

Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia), native to Central and South America, are commonly offered to captive reptiles; however, our understanding of their nutritional value is limited. They have a natural inverse calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio. Reptiles fed non-gut-loaded insects are more susceptible to developing nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. The purpose of this study was to measure the nutritional content of these roaches and determine whether a high calcium (8% dry matter) commercial gut loading diet could be used to produce a positive Ca:P ratio in these insects. Roaches (0.2 g, 16 mm in length) were fasted for 24 h and then randomly divided into a control group (n = 6, baseline) and three experimental groups (12, 24, and 48 h, n = 6 each). Each cohort (n) represented approximately 75–80 roaches (15–18 g). Roaches in the experimental groups were gut loaded on 50 g of Fluker's High-Calcium Dubia Roach Diet (Fluker Farms, Port Allen, LA, USA) for 12, 24, and 48 h. All groups were humanely euthanized by isoflurane overdose and freezing at -80°C (-112°F). Samples were sent on ice packs to Dairy One Forage Laboratory (Ithaca, NY, USA) for nutritional analysis. At baseline, all control cohorts had a severe inverse Ca:P ratio (mean, 0.15 ± 0.007; minimum–maximum, 0.14–0.16); however, the Ca:P ratios were found to significantly increase at all three time points compared with baseline (all means > 1.4, P < 0.0001). These results confirm that dubia roaches fed a high calcium diet can be used to provide an appropriate Ca:P ratio for captive reptiles.

Fluid therapy is the principal mechanism by which a clinician can stabilize a hemodynamically compromised patient. To ensure the provision of fluids is therapeutic, it is essential to know the osmolality of the administered fluid relative to the plasma of the species being treated. The clinical utility of common isotonic fluids for reptiles was determined through comparisons to the plasma osmolality of 15 Australian reptile species representing 3 genera. All sampled species had an osmolality that was either comparable, or significantly hyperosmolar, to that of the isotonic fluids. Pairwise comparisons revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between monitor lizards (Varanus spp.; x̄ = 329.71 mOsm/kg) and carpet pythons (Morelia spp.; x̄ = 294.92 mOsm/kg), and at a species-subspecies level, between eastern carpet pythons (Morelia spilota mcdowelli; x̄ = 318.25 mOsm/kg) and Bredli carpet pythons (Morelia spilota bredli; x̄ = 306.33 mOsm/kg). In support of previous studies, almost all species demonstrated a wider tolerable range in plasma osmolality than would be expected in mammals. Lizards in the genus Varanus demonstrated the most clinically significant results, with all species means being greater than any commercial isotonic fluid. The facultatively aquatic Mertens water monitor (Varanus mertensi) was the species with the most significant difference (x̄ = 344.50 mOsm/kg). A preliminary exploration of taxonomic rank (at the genus and species level) and habitat aridity was also performed to assess their utility as indicators for estimating the plasma osmolality of an unmeasured species. Neither were found to be suitable.