Carapace Sequestrum in an African Spurred Tortoise, Geochelone sulcata

Abstract

Nathalie Radem acher1, DVM, DECVD, Shannon Shaw1, DVM 1. L ouisiana State U niversity School o f V eterinary M edicine, V eterinary Clinical Sciences, Skip B ertm an D r., B aton R ouge, LA 70803, U SAA bstr a c t: A 12-year-old, 15.4-kg, captive-born, m ale A frican spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, was presented for separation o f the carapacial scutes. A C T scan was perform ed to determ ine the extent o f dam age to the carapace and to assess the integrity o f the tissue beneath it. T he scan revealed necrotic bone tissue consistent w ith sequestrum form ation, as well as areas o f possible com m unication w ith the coelomic cavity. Based on the scan results, it was decided to carry ou t conservative therapy followed by surgery to rem ove the sequestrum . T he sequestrum was successfully rem oved surgically, and the defect was repaired w ith the application o f dental acrylic and epoxy. This report illustrates the usefulness o f C T scanning in the diagnosis o f carapacial sequestra in chelonians. K ey W o r d s: A frican spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, sequestrum , therm al injury, carapace. C a s e R e p o r t O n day 1, a 12-year-old, 15.4-kg, captive-born, m ale A frican spurred tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, was presented for evaluation o f separated carapacial scutes. T he tortoise h ad a history o f carapacial pyram iding, as well as problem s w ith an overgrow n pygal bone plate an d supracaudal scute. The pygal bone plate h ad been previously surgically reshaped to enable norm al defecation and m ovem ent o f the tail. A dditionally, oxyurid parasites had been diagnosed and treated. A t the tim e o f presentation, the tortoise was housed in an o u td o o r fenced yard in south Louisiana. Supplem ental h eat and ultraviolet-B (UVB) lam ps were provided during the w inter, and the diet consisted o f assorted fresh fruits and vegetables w ithout calcium supplem entation. P rio r to residence w ith its current owner, the tortoise was housed indoors w ithout exposure to UVB light. T he heat source consisted o f a house heat radiator. Its diet consisted o f an assortm ent o f fruits an d vegetables w ithout calcium supplem entation. R eportedly, the tortoise had a h ab it o f frequently leaning against the heat radiator. Physical exam ination o f the carapace revealed partial detachm ent o f the first vertebral, first left pleural, first left m arginal, and second left m arginal scutes. The scutes were only partially attached to the corresponding bony plates; a hollow sound was elicited upon percussion o f the scutes w ith a b lunt m etal object (a pair o f scissors). Blood was collected from the brachial plexus, b u t only enough blood was obtained for a chem istry profile because o f the uncooperative n atu re o f the patient. N o abnorm alities were observed in the blood chem istry profile. A solution o f clorhexidine (Nolvasan® Solution 2%, F o rt D odge A nim al H ealth, F o rt D odge, Iowa) and w ater at a 1:50 ratio was used to flush the spaces between the scutes and the derm al bone. Piece...

Successful Carapace Puncture Wound Repair with Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) in an Amur Softshell Turtle (Pelodiscus maackii)

“…Rather than using modified orthopedic approaches for the keratinized carapace in hard-shelled turtles, which may cause further damage to the soft carapace during the invasive procedure, covering the wound site with a biocompatible adhesive would prevent further infections and induce the healing process inside the seal. Although there is the potential for the development of cellulitis, soft tissue infection, or shell osteomyelitis caused by the artificial materials, it is an effective method for repairing shell fractures on chelonians with appropriate wound management, suitable course of antibiotics, and a procedure with non-toxic adhesive materials (22,28). In addition, the habitat and traits of the species, the character and disposition of the wound, and the possibility of future complications should be considered when assessing for the appropriate method of repair (22).…”

“…Although there is the potential for the development of cellulitis, soft tissue infection, or shell osteomyelitis caused by the artificial materials, it is an effective method for repairing shell fractures on chelonians with appropriate wound management, suitable course of antibiotics, and a procedure with non-toxic adhesive materials (22,28). In addition, the habitat and traits of the species, the character and disposition of the wound, and the possibility of future complications should be considered when assessing for the appropriate method of repair (22). Hence, PMMA was assessed to be the choice of treatment in this case, considering the animal anatomical structure and state of the lesions.…”