An adult female, radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) presented with a grossly swollen left forelimb that restricted mobility and prevented limb withdrawal. Clinical pathology revealed leukopenia (1.9 × 109/L) and hyperproteinemia (69 g/L) that on protein electrophoresis was attributed to increased acute-phase proteins in the alpha fraction (26.4 g/L). Biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated soft tissue sarcoma. Surgical amputation at the proximal humerus was curative. To encourage postoperative mobility, a novel methylmethacrylate prosthesis, molded from a lubricated transected tennis ball, was adhered to the plastron using three cortical bone screws. This is the first recorded case of a sarcoma in the genus Geochelone.
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1 March 2005
UNDIFFERENTIATED SARCOMA RESOLVED BY FORELIMB AMPUTATION AND PROSTHESIS IN A RADIATED TORTOISE (GEOCHELONE RADIATA)
Kelleyerin Clabaugh,
K. Michelle Haag,
Christopher S. Hanley,
Kenneth S. Latimer,
Stephen J. Hernandez-Divers
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Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Vol. 36 • No. 1
March 2005
Vol. 36 • No. 1
March 2005
amputation
Geochelone radiata
prosthesis
Radiated tortoise
sarcoma