Pathologic and Hematologic Responses to Surgically Implanted Transmitters in Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus Catenatus Catenatus)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The study of secretive snakes, such as rattlesnakes, has benefited from the use of radiotelemetry. However, the principal assumption in telemetry studies is that the transmitter has no significant effect on the study animal. To test the validity of this assumption, the physiologic and pathologic effects of intracoelomic implants were examined in a group of 24 eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) in a laboratory setting over a period of 58 wk between March 2005 and April 2006. Inflammation and infection were evaluated using gross examination, histopathology, bacteriology, hematology, and plasma protein electrophoresis. Inflammation and infection occurred despite careful surgical procedures and advanced veterinary care. Four of 12 (33%) snakes developed extensive inflammatory response to the transmitter and associated anaerobic and gram-negative bacterial infections. Another four (33%) snakes showed mild inflammatory responses without infection. Reaction to the transmitters was reflected in changes in values for heterophils, monocytes, alpha-1, and beta globulin levels. Some conclusions reached in field studies using implanted radiotransmitters in snakes may be invalid if the implant influences the behavior or survival of the subject. Advances in attachment methods and transmitter coating technology may prevent some of the adverse effects associated with surgically implanted transmitters.

Factors Affecting Hematology and Plasma Biochemistry in the Southwest Carpet Python (Morelia Spilota Imbricata)

“…Hemoglobin was significantly lower compared with snakes without implants (Lentini et al, 2011). Increases in these leukocyte counts were not as pronounced in our study at the three transmitter sampling stages; however, reduced Hb concentration at the last two sampling stages may indicate an anemic response, similar to that found by Lentini et al (2011).…”

“…These parameters may reflect hydration or nutritional status. A study by Lentini et al (2011), specifically designed to test the inflammatory response of implanting radiotransmitters in rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), found that 33% of implanted snakes had grade 3 or higher reactions (on the basis of histopathologic tissue examination) with extensive and active inflammation. The reaction to the implant FIGURE 2.…”

Survey methodology for detecting eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in southern Michigan

“…We surgically implanted massasaugas with 1 of 3 radiotransmitters of varying mass, depending on body mass (models R1515, 7 g, and R1680, 3.1 g, Advanced Telemetry Systems, Inc., Isanti, MN, USA; model SB‐2, 5.3 g, Holohil Systems Ltd., ON, Canada) following Bailey () and Bailey et al (). The combined mass of the implanted radiotransmitter and PIT tag did not exceed 5% of body mass (Lentini et al ). Implanted massasaugas were approved for release by the veterinarian and subsequently released at their original capture location after up to 7 days.…”

Effect of weight of radio-transmitters on survival of Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis) and Short-tailed viper snake (Gloydius saxatilis)in the radio-transmitter implantation

“…(Mattison, 1995). 따 라서 기본적으로 발신기 삽입 수술방법을 이용한 연 구에서는 발신기 삽입이 연구 동물의 생존에 영향을 미치지 않는다는 가정 하에 연구를 진행해야 한다 (Gursky, 1998;Millspaugh and Marzluff, 2001 Karesh, 1989;Olsen et al, 1992;Rudolph et al, 1998;Murray and Fuller, 2000;Godfrey et al, 2003;Lentini et al, 2011 (Kenward, 1987;White and Garrott, 1987)로 권고하고 있으며, 곤충의 경우 10% 이내 (Cant et al, 2005), 어류의 경우 2% 이내 (Winter, 1983), 양 서류의 경우 10% 이내 (Richards et al, 1994;Jehle and Arntzen, 2000)로 분류군마다 다양하게 권고하고 있다. 파충류인 뱀의 경우, 발신기 삽입 수술을 이용한 여 러 선행연구들에서 대상개체의 전체 체중에 대한 발 신기무게비율을 적게는 1% 에서 많게는 7% 이내 까 지 권고하고 있다(e.g.…”