Ivermectin is routinely used as an anthelmintic in amphibians at the National Aquarium, Baltimore (MD). Presumptive inadvertent overdose occurred in dendrobatid frogs administered oral ivermectin via micropipette at volumes below the 0.5 μl lower limit of the unit. Forty-eight frogs, 19 Dendrobates auratus (green and black poison dart frog) and 29 Dendrobates tinctorius (dyeing and blue poison dart frog), were administered ivermectin as part of a parasite management program. Within 48 h of administration, clinical signs consistent with ivermectin toxicity developed, including ataxia, flaccid paralysis, pulmonary respiratory depression, and total unresponsiveness to stimuli. Multiple frogs also demonstrated generalized fluid accumulation consistent with hydrocoelom. Clinical signs developed in 31 frogs; 19/19 Dendrobates auratus and 12/29 Dendrobates tinctorius. Management included fluid and nutritional support and calcium, antibiotic, and furosemide administration. The overall survival rate for frogs that developed clinical signs was 32% (10/31). Of the 21 mortalities, seven frogs were euthanized and 14 were found dead. In surviving frogs, clinical signs lasted up to 3 wk, but were mild after 2 wk. Even frogs with severe central nervous system depression survived and supportive care is warranted in toxicity events.

A common agama (Agama agama) with clinical signs of dehydration, anorexia, and an abscess in the oral cavity was presented for medical examination. Bacteriological testing of an oral swab demonstrated the presence of Proteus vulgaris and Morganella morganii (Proteus morganii). A fecal examination showed oocysts of Choleoeimeria sp. and pinworm eggs. The animal died four days after examination. Samples from organs (liver, kidney, heart, and intestine) were collected for virological testing. An adenovirus was detected by polymerase chain reaction testing in the intestine. Analyses of the partial DNA-dependent–DNA-polymerase gene sequence of this adenovirus showed that the detected adenovirus clustered with members of the genus Atadenovirus.

A 45-year-old Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) was presented for therapy-resistant respiratory tract disease of several months duration. On presentation, the animal showed severe inspiratory distress and produced wheezing sounds on inspiration. Computed tomography and tracheobronchoscopy revealed bilateral bronchial collapse. Histopathology showed cartilaginous lesions comparable to those of tracheobronchomalacia described in dogs and humans.

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative bacterium that is an uncommon opportunistic pathogen of humans and animals. Infection is typically associated with exposure to contaminated soil or water in tropical climates. Reports of Chromobacterium violaceum infection in reptiles are scarce, and there are no records of infection in chelonians. Here we report the isolation of Chromobacterium violaceum from an adult, female, captive Macquarie turtle (Emydura macquarii) from temperate Australia. It is not known whether identification of Chromobacterium violaceum was incidental or whether infection played a role in disease. The source of the bacteria in this case could not be identified. Clinicians should include this pathogen in a list of differential diagnoses when presented with septicemic reptiles and should be aware of the potential human health risks.

Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were determined with the use of iohexol clearance testing for 17 clinically healthy, captive, juvenile Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) and three Kemp's ridley turtles with histopathologically confirmed renal disease. Iohexol was administered intravenously at 75 mg/kg, and blood was collected 4, 8, and 24 h after injection. Plasma iohexol concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and GFR was calculated. Iohexol clearance rates for healthy turtles were 9–17.4 ml/kg/h (mean: 12.6, median: 13.2, standard deviation: 2.17), and those for renal disease turtles were 10.2, 3.0, and 9.2 ml/kg/h, respectively. Administration of intravenous iohexol to Kemp's ridley turtles appeared to be safe, as no adverse effects were detected. This study provides the first data for iohexol clearance in a chelonian species, and the first GFR data for Kemp's ridley turtles. Although the data are limited, this study suggests that iohexol clearance may be a useful noninvasive diagnostic tool for assessment of renal function in turtles.

Tonometry, the estimation of intraocular pressure (IOP), is an essential component of ophthalmic examination. Understanding of this diagnostic tool is limited in chelonians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two methods of tonometry for estimation of IOP in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) and report values for corneal sensitivity measured by corneal aesthesiometry. Adult redeared slider turtles (n = 6) were manually restrained for tonometry; rebound and applanation tonometers were used. Corneal aesthesiometry was performed with the use of a Cochet-Bonnet corneal aesthesiometer. Median IOP estimated with applanation tonometry was 31.5 mmHg (25–75%: 24.3–38.3 mmHg, min–max: 9–58 mmHg) OD and 23.5 mmHg (25–75%: 17.8-34.8 mmHg, min–max: 10–58 mmHg) OS. Mean IOP estimated with rebound tonometry with non–species-specific calibration was 6.1 mmHg (SD: 2.3 mmHg, min–max: 3–9 mmHg) OD and 5.7 mmHg (SD: 1.3 mmHg, min–max: 2–9 mmHg) OS, with canine-specific calibration it was 9.2 mmHg (SD: 1.8 mmHg, min–max: 5–14mmHg) OD and 10.2 mmHg (SD: 1.5 mmHg, min–max: 7–12 mmHg) OS, and with equine-specific calibration it was 9.1 mmHg (SD: 0.9 mmHg, min– max: 8–13 mmHg) OD and 8.4 mmHg (SD: 1.2 mmHg, min–max: 5–11 mmHg) OS. There was poor level of agreement between applanation and rebound tonometers. Median corneal touch threshold was 6 cm (25–75%: 4.5–6 cm, min–max 0.5–6.0 cm). Results show that red-eared slider turtles have high corneal sensitivity and that both applanation and rebound tonometry are feasible in this species; however, more precision was noted with the rebound tonometer. Collecting serial measurements with the use of the same device is recommended to limit the potential for misclassification bias.

Determination of plasma osmolality can be performed either by direct measurement or by calculation based on formulas that utilize biochemical values. The objective of this study was to determine the agreement between measured and calculated plasma osmolality of American alligators, Alligator mississippiensis. Osmolality was measured with a freezing-point depression osmometer. Biochemistry values were used to calculate plasma osmolality. The measured osmolality was found to be in poor agreement with the calculated osmolality for all formulas tested. The regression equation Osmolality = 1.79 × Na 0.05 × (glucose concentration) best approximated the measured values. Measured plasma osmolality of alligators approximates the osmolality of some commonly available crystalloids fluids (Lactated Ringers, Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, Normosol-R, Hospira Inc., Lake Forest, IL) used in veterinary medicine but is 30 milliosmoles per liter per kilogram lower than 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The physiologic significance of this difference, especially when treating ill animals, must be investigated further. Based on these results, we do not recommend calculating plasma osmolality for alligators with previously reported formulas, as calculated values may not agree with measured values.

Reptile medicine has been one of the fastest growing disciplines within the veterinary medicine arena during the last 20 yr. Infectious disease has proven to be one of the most interesting and challenging subspecialties of this discipline. Among the most significant pathogens discovered and investigated in the last 2 decades are the Testudinid herpesviruses, previously known as tortoise herpesviruses. The first article describing a bona fide Testudinid herpesvirus dates back to 30 yr ago. Several articles have followed and a number of features of these agents and of their associated diseases are now known. Nevertheless, several questions remain unanswered. The origin of the virus(es), the search for an effective therapy, the issue of the clinically healthy carrier and how to manage them, and the need to develop more-specific and sensitive diagnostic tests are just some of the “big” issues which will need to be tackled in the future. In this article we will review the major features of these viral agents, trying to provide a useful resource for veterinarians and researchers who either need to work with these viruses or simply to familiarize themselves with the topic.