Contrast Radiography of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Sea Turtles

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction by radiolucent foreign bodies is common in sea turtles. The absence of clinical signs and the extended fasting periods in these animals means that intestinal obstructions may not be diagnosed early. Digestive tract radiographic contrast procedures were performed to evaluate the gastrointestinal transit time and intestinal obstructions in loggerhead sea turtles. Barium sulfate and nonionic iodinate contrast medium were used for radiographic contrast procedures. Contrast medium was administered via a gastric tube or into the colon. These procedures are often necessary and are useful to document intestinal obstruction and foreign objects. The diagnostic procedures were not easily performed in some turtles, but often they were adequate for the diagnosis.

Clinical ultrasonography in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): imaging of pathological features

“…), along with the frequent absence of clinical signs, can delay the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal obstruction and intestinal intussusception (De Vico et al 2003;Di Bello et al 2006). In our study, the ultrasonography allowed the diagnosis of ileus likely caused by ingestion of fishing-lines and/or fishing hooks in subjects with only indicative signs of gastroenteric pathology, sometimes accompanied by the presence of coelomic fluid.…”

COMPARISON OF GASTROGRAFIN TO BARIUM SULFATE AS A GASTROINTESTINAL CONTRAST AGENT IN RED‐EARED SLIDER TURTLES (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS)

“…Tortoises and semi‐aquatic turtles, such as red‐eared sliders, develop bowel obstruction by ingestion of bedding substrate and other indigestible materials 5 . Fishing line, plastic bags, and other nonradiopaque foreign bodies can lead to complete gastrointestinal obstruction in fresh‐ and saltwater turtles 5,6 . As in other species, intestinal obstruction can also be caused by neoplasia and functional problems such as volvulus and intussusception 5 .…”

“…Radiographic contrast media administered via an orogastric tube are often used to aid in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction and foreign bodies. Barium sulfate has been used as a gastrointestinal contrast medium in chelonians 6–10 . Gastrografin® * is a water‐soluble, hyperosmolar, iodinated (66% diatrizoate meglumine and 10% diatrizoate sodium), radiopaque contrast medium that has a rapid transit time in the Greek tortoise, 11 cat, 12 and dog 13 .…”

“…Gastrografin® * is a water‐soluble, hyperosmolar, iodinated (66% diatrizoate meglumine and 10% diatrizoate sodium), radiopaque contrast medium that has a rapid transit time in the Greek tortoise, 11 cat, 12 and dog 13 . Aside from passing more quickly than barium, iodinated contrast medium retains its radiographic opacity in the gastrointestinal tract of turtles for a longer period of time than in other species 6 . These factors, along with greater safety in animals with suspected intestinal perforation or subsequent surgery, make Gastrografin® an appropriate choice for contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract of red‐eared slider turtles.…”

“…These factors, along with greater safety in animals with suspected intestinal perforation or subsequent surgery, make Gastrografin® an appropriate choice for contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract of red‐eared slider turtles. However, a hyperosmolar contrast medium may lead to hypovolemia and dehydration due to fluid loss from the bowel 6,11,12,14,15 . This is especially true of small animals, neonates, and critically ill patients 6,12,14,15 …”