A 3-yr-old female spayed bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with lethargy, inappetence, and pale mucous membranes was presented to the clinic 3 days after being fed wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Diagnostic testing, including hematology, blood chemistry, and whole body radiographs, and a parasitological examination (flotation, native preparation) revealed low-grade leukocytosis (20,000/µl), anemia (hematocrit of 8%), and a parasite infestation with oxyurids and flagellates. The animal was hospitalized and treated with enrofloxacin IM, SteroG5 SC, activated charcoal and lactulose PO, Vit B complex SC, iron IM, Zylexis SC, fenbendazole PO, metronidazole PO, and HerbiCare PO and supplemental oxygen via an oxygen cage. During the animal's hospitalization, the partner animal, a 3-yr-old male bearded dragon, was presented to the hospital for examination and also was found to be anemic, with a significantly decreased hematocrit of 11%. Because of the life-threatening anemia, both animals underwent whole blood transfusion via intraosseous catheter from two donor animals of the same species on day 2 of hospitalization. Two days posttransfusion, both animals showed an increase in hematocrit and improvement of their general condition. Fourteen days posttransfusion, hematocrit levels had increased to 16% in the female and 20% in the male and both animals showed completely normal species-specific behavior and general condition.

The aim of this exploratory study was to capture images of the anterior and posterior segments of the corn snake eye using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Postmortem OCT scans were conducted on three euthanized corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), followed by a histological examination of their eyes. OCT findings were correlated with histology to identify anterior and posterior ocular structures, and to delineate retinal layers on OCT. Total retinal thickness (RT) was manually measured every 360 µm from the edge of the optic disc over a 3,600-µm distance in the dorsal and ventral quadrant of each snake. In the anterior segment of the eye, OCT imaging successfully identified the spectacle, cornea, iris, lens, and Schlemm's canal. The posterior segment scans revealed a vestigial conus papillaris and retinal folds adjacent to the optic nerve head, which were confirmed by histology. The membrana vasculosa was distinguishable from the surrounding retina, and despite some limitations in image resolution, retinal layers were discernible. There was a positive correlation between the total RT and the distance from the optic disc (with the retina being thicker farther from the optic disc). Additionally, the total RT in the ventral quadrant was significantly lower than in the dorsal quadrant. OCT imaging effectively identified various anatomical features and retinal layers of the corn snake's eye. To establish comprehensive OCT references for the posterior segment of the eye, further studies involving healthy, living snakes are needed.

A complete ophthalmic examination includes the measurement of intra-ocular pressure (IOP). IOP has been recorded in several species of reptiles, and differences between species have been recognized. This study measured IOP in Gopherus morafkai (Sonoran Desert tortoise) presented to a veterinary hospital. The IOP observed in this study (right eye 15.8 mm Hg ± 2.66 and left eye 16.8 mm Hg ± 2.75) was higher than those reported in aquatic chelonians. This study demonstrates the reliability of rebound tonometry for measuring IOP in Sonoran Desert tortoises, providing a robust method for future research. It is not recommended that IOP values be extrapolated between species and collection methods.

Gastric cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium serpentis has impacted the conservation efforts for the imperiled eastern indigo snake (EIS, Drymarchon couperi). Multiple treatments, including paromomycin, nitazoxanide-azithromycin-rifabutin, clofazimine, curcumin, and hydrogen peroxide gavage, have been investigated and proved ineffective in eliminating the parasite, necessitating further investigation. A novel piperazine-based compound, MMV665917, has been shown to be more effective than paromomycin, nitazoxanide, and clofazimine in treating cryptosporidiosis in mammals. With these promising results, MMV665917 was selected to investigate as a treatment of gastric cryptosporidiosis in EIS. Twelve EIS naturally infected with C. serpentis were randomly divided into two groups of six: Group A and Group B. Group A received 22 mg/kg MMV665917 daily for 7 days, and Group B received a placebo daily for 7 days. All EIS tolerated the treatment with no adverse effects appreciated. Success was evaluated by C. serpentis–specific probe hybridization qPCR analysis of gastric lavage performed 1, 2, and 3 months following the treatment. Infections persisted following treatment, and there was no statistical difference in qPCR cycle threshold values between the groups or within the groups for the 3 months following treatment (F = 0.92, P = 0.525). These findings show that MMV665917 dosed at 22 mg/kg daily for 7 days is ineffective in eliminating C. serpentis in EIS and alternative MMV665917 dosing or formulations should be investigated in reptiles.

Environmental pollution and its effects on organisms are an essential aspect of conservation. Pollutants include not only organic substances but also elements such as mercury and arsenic, some of which can accumulate in the food chain and cause considerable damage to the organism. Available data on pollutants in reptiles are sparse, but freshwater turtles in particular are especially suitable for monitoring because of their position in the food chain and their long life expectancy. In the present study, the trace elements silver (Ag), arsenic (As), gold (Au), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), thallium (Tl), and zinc (Zn) were measured in heparinized blood plasma of 167 healthy pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) kept in different locations in Germany using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed significant (P < 0.05) differences between the sexes for Ag, Au, Ba, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, and Zn and between the locations for Au, Ba, Cu, Hg, Mg, Tl, Sb, and Zn. A positive correlation with the body weight of the turtles was found for Ba, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Tl, and Zn. These results serve as baseline values and show that both the local environment and the sex of the turtles significantly influence some values. Further studies are needed to show how the animals react to increased and decreased element levels and how blood levels of individual elements differ in animals from polluted regions.

Mycoplasmas can cause severe chronic nasal sinusitis in tortoises and box turtles, both in captive and wild populations. The aim of this study was to compare positive and negative Mycoplasma sp. test results before and after a nasal flush protocol combined with systemic enrofloxacin and to compare positive and negative results between DNA sequencing and PCR in tortoises with nasal discharge. Fifteen mycoplasma-positive tortoises were included in the study. All were treated with the nasal flush protocol. At the end of the nasal flush protocol, 26.7% of the treated tortoises remained mycoplasma positive. One month after the end of the nasal flush protocol, 20% remained positive. The PCR and DNA sequencing tests had good agreement based on a weighted kappa of 0.64. Based on these results, we conclude that the outlined nasal flush protocol is overall successful at acutely resolving nasal discharge and leading to a PCR- or DNA sequencing–negative tortoise 1 month after treatment.

Blood glucose concentration measurement is essential for the diagnosis and management of many bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) diseases. Portable blood glucose monitors (PBGMs) are inexpensive alternatives to traditional benchtop analyzers and require whole blood volumes as small as 0.3 µl; however, PBGMs should be assessed for analytical and clinical agreement with a reference analyzer before use in a new species. The potential effects of variables such as packed cell volume (PCV) should also be evaluated. Using blood samples from 48 bearded dragons, three PBGMs were assessed: a veterinary PBGM (VPBGM) using the canine and feline settings, a human PBGM (HPBGM), and a human point-of-care analyzer (LDX). Statistical analysis was performed using difference plots and Passing–Bablok regression analysis. Analytical agreement was determined using the bearded dragon–specific inherent imprecision of each analyzer, and clinical agreement was based on mammalian total allowable error guidelines. A multiple linear regression model was used to investigate the potential effects of PCV, glucose, total solids (TS), lipemia, and hemolysis. The VPBGM overestimated blood glucose on both settings, whereas the HPBGM and LDX underestimated blood glucose. These respective discrepancies became more pronounced at higher blood glucose concentrations due to proportional biases. No analyzers had analytical agreement with the reference analyzer, and only the LDX was within acceptable clinical decision limits. However, if correction formulas were applied, all analyzers were in clinical agreement. A higher PCV was overall associated with an increasingly negative constant bias. There was no effect of TS concentration or lipemia. Although the VPBGM and HPBGM are inexpensive analyzers compared with the LDX and reference analyzer, additional steps, such as the application of corrective formulas, are necessary to ensure acceptable diagnostic results. Alternatively, because precision was good for all analyzers and correlation to the reference analyzer was strong, method-specific reference intervals could be generated.

There is a lack of reproductive information regarding the endangered Bornean earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis), including on how to determine its sex. The objective of this study was to identify sex in a zoo population of 10 healthy Bornean earless monitors as well as define the ultrasonographic appearance of sexually mature female ovaries. Morphometrics of this population, including snout–vent length, tail length, head length, head width, head height, length of the dentary, dentary height, and lower jaw width were recorded. In addition, coelomic ultrasounds under manual restraint were performed. Total follicles per animal (7.55 ± 2.06, mean ± SD), follicular volume (0.32 ± 0.20 cm³), and type of follicles (hypoechoic, vitellogenic, and laminar) were recorded for each female in the study population. Although morphometrics were not useful in determining sex, ultrasound was a reliable, noninvasive method for this species. In addition, baseline measurements regarding their ovarian morphology were determined that may be useful for future breeding and health assessments for this endangered species.