Clinical Update on Diagnosis and Management of Disorders of the Digestive System of Reptiles

Mans, Christoph

doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2013.05.006

Cited by 33 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Among the most common causes of radiological and ultrasound consultations in reptiles, the literature mentions diseases of the cardiovascular, skeletal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems (1,7,12). The cases analyzed here partially confirm the literature data.…”

Section: Tab 2 Coelomic Abnormalities In Animals Examinedsupporting

confidence: 78%

Causes of consultations and results of radiological and ultrasound methods in lizard diseases (2006-2014)

Łojszczyk-Szczepaniak¹,

Szczepaniak²,

Grzybek³

et al. 2018

Medycyna Weterynaryjna

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SummaryReptiles are becoming increasingly popular animals in amateur husbandry in Poland and worldwide. The world literature, however, does not provide data on the actual causes of radiological and ultrasound consultations in certain groups of animals, including reptiles. The aim of the study was the analysis of causes and results of diagnostic imaging examinations. The study was based on the data of 75 lizards which were patients of the university diagnostic imaging service in the years 2006-2014.The most common clinical signs in those animals were visible body deformations (33.33%), loss of body weight (30.67%) and loss of appetite (26.67%). In cases in which a preliminary diagnosis had been made, the largest proportion of animals were referred with suspected post-traumatic changes (12%), dystocia (10.67%) and ileus (9.33%). In diagnostic imaging tests, musculoskeletal (29.33%) and coelomic abnormalities (40.33%) were most commonly confirmed. Coelomic changes affected mainly the liver, reproductive system and gastrointestinal tract. For the musculoskeletal system, the most frequently identified causes were the presence of post-traumatic changes, malformations of the vertebral column, as well as metabolic bone disease. Cardiorespiratory and urinary problems were observed only sporadically. In twenty-two animals (29.33%), radiographic and ultrasound examinations failed to establish a diagnosis.The results of this study provide valuable data on the cross-section of the most common problems leading to diagnostic imaging evaluation in lizards. This research demonstrates that, despite the growing popularity of exotic animals, most of the problems diagnosed in such animals still arise from inappropriate breeding and housing conditions. In most cases, diagnostic imaging provides valuable information, making it possible to implement further steps.

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Section: Tab 2 Coelomic Abnormalities In Animals Examinedsupporting

confidence: 78%

Causes of consultations and results of radiological and ultrasound methods in lizard diseases (2006-2014)

Łojszczyk-Szczepaniak¹,

Szczepaniak²,

Grzybek³

et al. 2018

Medycyna Weterynaryjna

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“…It has been suggested that even if gas, stones, or sand are ingested, a reliable statement about the topography of the intestinal tract cannot be made from either the laterolateral or dorsoventral views [65]. Therefore, contrast radiography is a necessary diagnostic tool for the evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract in daily clinical reptile practice [20]. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for imaging the coelomic cavity of reptiles, especially in lizards and snakes [6], and has been extensively investigated in bearded dragons [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In-depth knowledge of the special anatomy [18] and morphology of a particular species is needed to interpret the results of diagnostic imaging [19]. This is one of the limitations of standard radiographic techniques, as the information gained on the gastrointestinal tract may be limited [20, 21]. To increase the informative value of survey radiographs, contrast media can be used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific anatomy and radiographic illustration of the digestive tract and transit time of two orally administered contrast media in Inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

et al. 2019

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The aim of this study was to describe the specific gross and radiographic anatomy of the digestive tract of inland bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ). Eleven bearded dragon cadavers of both sexes (6 females, 5 males) were dissected to examine, measure, and document the specific gross anatomy of the alimentary canal. Measurements collected from the cadavers included snout-vent length, total length of the alimentary canal, and the lengths of the individual sections of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, ampulla coli, isthmus coli, rectum, and the distance from the coprodeum to the vent opening. Twenty-two healthy adult bearded dragons (13 females, 9 males) maintained under standardized husbandry conditions underwent a physical examination, blood collection, and whole-body dorsoventral and lateral survey radiographs; these animals were used to provide the radiographic images of the complete digestive tract. For the subsequent contrast passage studies, two different contrast media, barium sulfate (BaSO 4 , Barilux suspension) and an iodinated ionic radiocontrast agent (Sodium meglumine amidotrizoate [SMAT], Gastrografin), were used. Water-diluted Barilux suspension (dose 9 ml/kg) was administered orally to 5 bearded dragons, while Gastrografin (dose 5ml/kg) was administered orally to 21 bearded dragons. Four animals were used for both contrast media studies, but received a break of four weeks in between. Dorsoventral and laterolateral radiographs were collected at 0 (baseline), 15, 30, and 45 minutes and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 30, and 36 hours after each contrast medium was administered. Both contrast media were found to illustrate the alimentary tracts in the adult bearded dragons. Transit time was substantially faster with SMAT, and SMAT illustrated the entire gastrointestinal tract within 36 hours; BaSO 4 did not fully illustrate the gastrointestinal tract in 36 hours. These results might serve as a guideline for the interpretation of subsequent contrast studies in this lizard species.

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“…The remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. Differential diagnoses included digestive impaction (Mans, 2013); neoplasia, such as neuroendocrine gastric carcinoma/ somatostatinoma (Ritter et al, 2009) and gallbladder (Jakab et al, 2011) or hepatic (Griswold, 2001) neoplasms; and cholelithiasis (Gimmel et al, 2017). Dorsoventral and lateral whole-body radiography was unremarkable.…”

Section: Case Seriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Cholecystolithiasis in Two Adult Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

Pouillevet

Aymen

Larouche

et al. 2021

Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery

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Two male inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) of 5 and 6 yr of age were presented for anorexia with and without lethargy, respectively. In both cases, a firm, spherical, and mobile mass, measuring 2 cm in diameter, was palpated in the cranio-medial coelom. Radiographs were unremarkable. Ultrasonographic evaluation was highly suggestive of cholecystolithiasis. Coeliotomy confirmed the presence of a markedly enlarged gallbladder containing a cholecystolith in both cases, and cholecystectomies were performed. Both dragons resumed eating after 1-7 days and were doing well 3-6 months postoperatively. The gallbladder wall was unremarkable on histology, and the choleliths were composed of protein and calcium carbonate crystals. Cholecystolithiasis in bearded dragons has been the subject of very few case reports, probably due to its low occurrence. The lack of available data on the diagnosis and management may have led to this condition being underdiagnosed in this species. Ultrasonography was essential to the clinical diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis in our two cases and should be recommended as part of the diagnostic approach of bearded dragons with cranio-medial coelomic masses.

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Clinical Update on Diagnosis and Management of Disorders of the Digestive System of Reptiles

Cited by 33 publications

References 40 publications

Causes of consultations and results of radiological and ultrasound methods in lizard diseases (2006-2014)

Causes of consultations and results of radiological and ultrasound methods in lizard diseases (2006-2014)

Specific anatomy and radiographic illustration of the digestive tract and transit time of two orally administered contrast media in Inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Cholecystolithiasis in Two Adult Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

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