Computed tomographic and radiologic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract in the red-foot tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

Abstract

The diagnosis of several diseases in chelonians is a challenge in the veterinary clinic, because a detailed physical examination with auscultation and palpation is difficult due the presence of carapace and plastron. Imaging analysis such as radiography and computed tomography (CT) have been shown to be beneficial for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in numerous animal species. Thus, this study aimed to identify and describe the structures of the lower respiratory tract in red-foot tortoises, by computed tomography, radiography and gross anatomy in twelve red-foot tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria), adults and of both sexes. The lower respiratory tract in these animals comprised the larynx, trachea, bronchi and the lungs. The presence of epiglottic cartilage was not observed in the animals studied. CT allowed the observation of the intrapulmonary part of the bronchi, which was accompanied by large intrapulmonary blood vessels. The lungs presented a reticulated parenchyma, without lobulations. Each lung had a small chamber located near the cranial and caudal poles. These structures were identified in CT and 3D CT reconstructions and these could suggest that these chambers could be non-respiratory structures, and could be comparable to the air sacs of birds. This study establishes normal CT anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the red-foot tortoise; and may be used as a reference in the assessment of respiratory disorders in this tortoise.

Evaluation of the effects of a dexmedetomidine-midazolam-ketamine combination administered intramuscularly to captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

“…8 There are some previous reports of injectable anesthesia in red-footed tortoises. In 1 study, 14 a combination of ketamine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg) and propofol (7.0 mg/kg) was injected into the dorsal cer-vical sinus to facilitate radiography and CT of these animals, and maintenance with smaller doses of ketamine (0.2 mg/kg) and propofol (4.0 mg/kg) were required. In other investigations, red-footed tortoises were anesthetized with ketamine (40 mg/kg, IM) and midazolam (2.0 mg/kg, IM) for ultrasonography 5 or with midazolam (2.0 mg/kg, IM), ketamine (40 mg/ kg, IM), and propofol (15 mg/kg, IV) for exsanguination.…”

CASE REPORT: RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN RED-FOOTED TORTOISE (Chelonoidis carbonaria) WITH TOMOGRAPHIC LESIONS COMPATIBLE WITH PULMONARY FIBROSIS

“…Despite not being listed in the endangered species, this species suffers considerable anthropic impact due to habitat degradation, invasive species, pollution, urban growth and mainly the trafficking of wild animals that led C. carbonaria to become the most popular chelonian species. bred in captivity in Brazil as a pet, leading this animal to represent a significant percentage of the sample of Wild Animal Medicine consultations (POLANCO et al, 2020).…”

USO DE CERA ORTODÔNTICA NA RESTAURAÇÃO DA CARAPAÇA DE JABUTI- PIRANGA (Chelonoidis carbonaria) – RELATO DE CASO

“…Dentre as espécies já registradas, a família Testudinidae compreende um dos grupos mais abundantes, sendo representados por cágados, jabutis e tartarugas (DIVERS; MADER, 2006;FERREIRA, et al, 2012;RHODIN et al, 2018;GARCIA et al, 2020). Anatomicamente, esses animais possuem os órgãos internos protegidos por um exoesqueleto externo ventral denominado plastrão e outro dorsal denominada carapaça, ambos revestidos por epiderme queratinizada formando os escudos epidérmicos (VELLA, 2009;GIRLING, 2013;JEPSON, 2015;ACHRAI;WAGNER, 2017;MAUTNER, et al, 2017;POLANCO et al, 2020).…”