An adult male Savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) was evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and coelomic distension. Ultrasonographic investigation identified both pericardial and coelomic effusion. Clinical laboratory investigations and radiographs did not identify a definitive disease process, and culture of the coelomic fluid was negative for bacterial growth. A tentative diagnosis of neoplasia, with mesothelioma as a potential type, was made after cytological examination of the coelomic fluid and echocardiography. Surgical exploration and excisional biopsy of the pericardium for drainage of the fluid and determination of a final diagnosis was carried out. The lizard died 16 h post-anesthesia. Histopathology confirmed changes throughout the coelomic cavity consistent with a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rarely reported neoplasm in all animals but particularly in reptiles. This case report provides a detailed clinical and pathologic description of the lesions associated with mesothelioma in a monitor lizard. In addition, this is the first known report of a surgical pericardectomy in a reptile.

The topical application of isoflurane and sevoflurane compounded jellies has been used successfully to anesthetize anurans. Although sevoflurane is a less tissue-soluble anesthetic than isoflurane, it is unknown whether tissue solubility affects anesthesia after topical application. The purpose of this study was to determine time to loss and return of righting reflex in eight American green tree frogs, Hyla cinerea, after topical application of compounded isoflurane or sevoflurane jelly. Frogs were placed into a container with either 2 ml of isoflurane or sevoflurane jelly. Containers were intermittently inverted until loss of righting reflex was observed. Frogs were then removed, rinsed clean of the jelly, and placed in new containers in dorsal recumbency. Frogs were observed until their righting reflex returned. Four frogs initially tested with isoflurane developed skin lesions, and two subsequently died. Accordingly, the isoflurane jelly was discontinued. Frogs exposed to isoflurane lost their righting reflex 90 ± 20 sec after exposure and frogs exposed to sevoflurane jelly lost their righting reflex 112 ± 33 sec after exposure to the anesthetic. Frogs exposed to isoflurane had their righting reflex return 2,659 ± 733 sec after having the jelly removed, and frogs exposed to sevoflurane had their righting reflex return 1,085 ± 1,204 sec after having the jelly removed. There was no significant difference between loss of righting reflex times (P = 0.30) between anesthetics; however, there was a significant difference in the time to the return of the righting reflex (P = 0.04), with isoflurane recovery being 4.5 times longer than sevoflurane. None of the frogs receiving sevoflurane jelly developed skin lesions. Based on this study, topically applied sevofluane jelly may be a useful anesthetic for American tree frogs, whereas isoflurane jelly, at the dose used, should be avoided.

American alligators, Alligator mississippiensis, are one of 23 crocodilian species in the world, and they are common in the southeastern United States. Biochemical enzyme blood reference values have been established for the American alligator and several other crocodilians, but the tissue of origin of these enzymes has not been established. This study evaluated tissue specificity of six different enzymes in the American alligator, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Six different tissues (liver, cardiac muscle, lung, kidney, skeletal muscle, and mid–small intestine) were collected from six subadult American alligators for enzyme analysis. The results showed that the CK and LDH enzymes were primarily derived from skeletal and cardiac muscle; ALT was derived primarily from kidney and skeletal muscle tissue; and AST was derived primarily from liver and skeletal muscle tissue. GGT and ALP appear to be of little diagnostic value regarding the tissues sampled because there was no statistical difference between the tissue levels. The results of this study should be of use to clinicians when interpreting biochemistry enzyme levels from blood samples.

Lesions associated with storage of red blood cells (RBC) in different anticoagulants have been well described in mammals, but not in reptiles to date. The objectives of this study were to document biochemical changes of American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) packed RBC stored in citrate–phosphate–dextrose–adenine (CPDA-1) and acid–citrate–dextrose (ACD) anticoagulants over the course of 35 days and to describe qualitative and quantitative morphologic changes over 295 days. Blood samples were collected via the occipital sinus from 6 captive-born American alligators of mixed sex (1 male, 5 females). Spun packed cell volume (PCV), total solids, and blood lead levels were analyzed with the use of heparinized blood on Day 0. Samples in CPDA-1 and ACD were stored at 4°C (39.2°F) and the following parameters serially evaluated at varying time points until Day 35: blood culture, blood gas analysis, PCV, methemoglobin, osmotic fragility, and morphologic evaluation by light and transmission electron microscopy. Further assessment of osmotic fragility on Days 45 and 60 and morphologic evaluation by light microscopy on Days 60 and 295 were performed. One positive blood culture in the ACD anticoagulant group was noted on Day 0, but all were negative on Day 35. Biochemical changes included statistically significant increases in potassium and lactate concentrations in both anticoagulants from Day 0 to Day 35. Spun PCV decreased significantly from Day 7 to Day 35 in both anticoagulants and methemoglobin decreased significantly from Day 0 to Day 35 in ACD. Osmotic fragility showed no significant change from Day 2 to Day 35 or between anticoagulants, but was significantly different between Day 2 and Days 45 and 60 in the CPDA-1 group. Degenerative changes of RBC on blood film evaluation included nuclear pyknosis, erythroplastid formation, RBC swelling, RBC shrinkage and cytoplasmic membrane blebbing. There were no significant abnormal morphologic findings by transmission electron microscopy. The results of this study indicate that American alligator erythrocytes can be stored as packed RBC for at least 35 days in CPDA-1 or ACD.

Reproductive disorders in female tortoises are common and well documented and often require surgical access to the coelomic cavity to diagnose and correct. Coelioscopic-assisted bilateral ovariectomy (8/8, 100%) and hemiovariosalpingectomy (1/8, 12.5%) were performed in eight, presumed-healthy Mojave Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) maintained at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bilateral ovariectomy was successfully conducted in all animals through a unilateral (3/8, 37.5%) or bilateral (5/8, 62.5%) prefemoral approach. Hemisalpingectomy was also performed in one tortoise (1/8, 12.5%). Significant abnormalities were observed during coelioscopy in 6/8 (75%) tortoises including ectopic and free-floating follicles, yolk coelomitis, liver disease, and oviduct and ovarian adhesions. Although non-endoscopic bilateral ovariectomy and ovariosalpingectomy have been described, they are not able to clearly visualize internal structures or pathology. Results of the eight surgeries described in this study suggest that coelioscopic-assisted ovariectomy and ovariosalpingectomy are practical and safe methods for sterilization of Mojave Desert tortoises. The magnification and optimal visualization provided by coelioscopy were considered critical for success.

Ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) are a threatened species in Illinois. In 2011, a head-start program initiated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was conducted at two zoological facilities. Variable success in artificial incubation and hatching of eggs was noted between the institutions. In 2012, artificially incubated eggs from eight clutches (n = 28) and nine batched clutches of unknown total egg count incubated in situ had the hatched egg shells submitted for mineral content analysis. All minerals showed significant differences, except sulfur. Future analysis of fertile and infertile eggs or successful and unsuccessful hatches would provide additional interpretation for use of shell mineral analysis for captive propagation of this species.