Evaluation of pulmonary function in European land tortoises using whole‐body plethysmography

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of whole-body plethysmography as a non-invasive method to determine the respiratory parameters and profiles in two tortoise species belonging to the genus Testudo. Pulmonary functions and volumetric parameters were determined in 10 adults of Testudo hermanni and in seven Testudo marginata animals, using whole-body plethysmography. A profile pattern was regularly observed: an inspiratory flow peak, an expiratory peak, an apnoea phase and a second expiratory peak, previous to the beginning of the next respiratory cycle. Positive and significant correlation was observed between the inspiratory time, weight and length of the tortoises. Larger tortoises showed a higher time of inhalation. The peak of inspiratory flow was correlated with the sex, being longer in the females. T. marginata had an inspiratory time longer than that of T. hermanii. In T. hermanii, differences related to the sex were observed in the tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, peak expiratory flow, expiratory flow of 50 per cent and enhanced pause, which could be related to the smaller size of males. The results suggest that additional information on new technologies currently used in pet medicine or even in human medicine should be developed and adjusted as alternative ways to support the rehabilitation of turtles and tortoises.

An open-source tool for automated analysis of breathing behaviors in common marmosets and rodents

“…We used non-invasive, Whole-body Plethysmography to measure breathing behaviors (Hamelmann et al 1997) in unrestrained, freely moving, awake marmosets and rats. Plethysmography has a simple and robust design that has been used widely in humans [neonates (Sivieri et al 2017) and adults (Dubois et al 1956)], non-human primates [such as macaques (Besch et al 1996) and cynomolgus monkeys (Iizuka et al 2010)], rodents (Sheikhbahaei et al 2018;Hosford et al 2020), dogs (Liu et al 2016), sheep (Hutchison et al 1983), cats (Hoffman et al 1999), turtles (Valente et al 2012), and other animals. However, analyzing Whole-body respiratory data in conscious, awake animals requires complex algorithms to differentiate the respiratory signals.…”

“…However, the basic characteristics of breathing behaviors in marmosets are not yet defined. Whole-body Plethysmography has been widely used in studying breathing behaviors in animal models (Besch et al 1996) (Iizuka et al 2010) (Sheikhbahaei et al 2018;Hosford et al 2020) (Liu et al 2016) (Hutchison et al 1983) (Hoffman et al 1999) (Valente et al 2012) (Tattersall et al 2002). However, analyzing whole-body respiratory data in awake animals requires algorithms to distinguish different respiratory signals.…”

Breathing Behaviors in Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

“…We used non-invasive, Whole-body Plethysmography to measure breathing behaviors (6,33) in unrestrained, freely moving, awake marmosets. Plethysmography has a simple and robust design that has been used widely in humans [neonates (34) and adults (35)], non-human primates [such as macaques (36) and cynomolgus monkeys (13)], rodents (6,33), dogs (37), sheep (38), cats (39), turtles (40), and other animals.…”

“…We used non-invasive, Whole-body Plethysmography to measure breathing behaviors (Hamelmann et al 1997) in unrestrained, freely moving, awake marmosets. Plethysmography has a simple and robust design that has been used widely in humans [neonates (Sivieri et al 2017) and adults (Dubois et al 1956)], non-human primates [such as macaques (Besch et al 1996) and cynomolgus monkeys (Iizuka et al 2010)], rodents (Sheikhbahaei et al 2018;Hosford et al 2020), dogs (Liu et al 2016), sheep (Hutchison et al 1983), cats (Hoffman et al 1999), turtles (Valente et al 2012), and other animals.…”

Case report: Intracoelomic neoplastic mass of undetermined origin in an Asia minor spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera)

“…Cloacal and buccal mucosae were normal. Respiratory rate was 10 breaths per minute [reference range = 11–27 in Hermann’s tortoise ( Testudo hermanni ) and marginated tortoise ( Testudo marginata )] at room temperature (~25.2°C) ( 6 ). Heart rate was 72 beats per minute [reference range = 34–70 in T. hermanni and Horsfield’s tortoise ( Testudo horsfieldii syn.…”