Two Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) presented within a few hours of traumatic gastric evisceration; one had been struck by a lawn mower and the other had sustained a crush injury by automobile. In both cases, physical examination revealed severe carapacial fractures and a portion of the stomach exteriorized and entrapped by the carapacial fragments. Gastric perforation was identified and repaired in the turtle struck by lawn mower; the stomach of the second turtle was intact. The exposed gastric serosa of each turtle was irrigated and replaced within the coelom, and the carapacial fractures were reduced and stabilized. Following treatment and rehabilitation, the carapacial fractures healed, no complications occurred secondary to the gastric exteriorization, and both were released to the wild within 3 months of presentation. Treatment and rehabilitation of free-ranging Eastern box turtles following urban trauma may contribute to maintaining the wild populations of this species. Traumatic gastric evisceration of Eastern box turtles is a survivable condition if treated appropriately. Treatment, rather than euthanasia, should be considered for turtles that suffer this condition and are intended for release to the wild population.

A 22-yr-old red-tailed boa constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor) was evaluated for neurologic abnormalities, including cervical weakness and right-sided optical and thermal blindness. Previous diagnostic testing of this individual had ruled out inclusion body disease of boids as a cause of the neurologic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the use of both a 7-T research unit and a 1.5-T clinical unit was performed, and confirmed the diagnosis of a large mass within the diencephalon and mesencephalon causing hydrocephalus and asymmetry of the lateral ventricles. Both MRI units provided diagnostic images. Based upon the lack of surgical or medical options for treatment, euthanasia was elected. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed the presence of an intracranial mass, with gross images closely mirroring those noted antemortem with MRI. The mass was likely to have an ependymal or astrocytic origin based on immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells to glial fibrillary acidic protein and caused complete compression and/or effacement of components of the diencephalon, including the thalamus and pineal gland, as well as the mesencephalon. This case illustrates the neurologic deficits, application of advanced MRI for neuroimaging, and immunohistological characteristics of an uncommon primary neural neoplasia in a snake.

Stomatitis was observed in three carpet pythons (Morelia spilota) from a large mixed collection in Germany. All affected animals were euthanized and one was submitted for diagnostic testing. No viruses were detected in tissues from this animal, but a novel Mycoplasma sp. related to mycoplasmas previously described in tortoises in Europe was detected in the oral mucosa. While the role of Mycoplasma spp. in disease in squamates is unknown, this is the third report of a Mycoplasma sp. related to respiratory disease in a snake.

Although our understanding of reptile analgesia continues to develop, μ-opioid receptor agonists are currently the most effective analgesics in a variety of reptile species. Fentanyl, a potent, short-acting, μ- and δ-opioid receptor agonist, is formulated for use as a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) and was shown to be absorbed across the skin of prehensile-tailed skinks (Corucia zebrata). Snakes, which possess highly permeable skin, seem to be ideal candidates for effective transdermal analgesia. Fentanyl TTS (12 μg/h) was applied to the midbody, dorsal surface of two ball pythons (Python regius). Specimen mean body weight was 2.60 kg (2.20–2.99 kg). Cardiac blood samples were collected for 7 days, and plasma fentanyl concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Therapeutic concentrations, as defined in mammals (1 ng/ml), were reached within 4 h of patch application, and they were sustained throughout the study. Plasma fentanyl steady-state (8.68–10.3 ng/ml) and maximum (11.7–17.6 ng/ml) concentrations were substantially higher than those demonstrated to attain analgesia in mammals, suggesting the potential to use smaller dosages. Patches remained well adhered throughout the study. Snakes exhibited no adverse side effects during the experiment. Data from this study suggest that the TTS delivers quantifiable fentanyl concentrations in ball python plasma and may serve as a route for prolonged analgesia administration to snakes. Additional research is needed to further determine treatment efficacy and safety and to optimize the dosing regimen.

Iohexol clearance testing was used to determine glomerular filtration rates (GFR) for 12 juvenile Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that stranded because of cold-stunning. Iohexol was injected intravenously at 75 mg/kg, with subsequent plasma collection at 4, 8, and 24 h post-injection for measurement of iohexol iodine concentrations by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Initial GFR was determined on median day 4 of hospitalization (range day 2–5) at an average body temperature of 19°C (66°F) (range 18–21°C [64–70°F]). Mean initial GFR was 4.6 mL/kg/h (range 1.9–8.7 mL/kg/h, n = 10). Convalescent GFR was determined on median day 126 of hospitalization (range day 108–232) at an average body temperature of 24°C (75°F) (range 23–25°C [74–77°F]). Mean convalescent GFR was 13.5 mL/kg/h (range 8.5–21.5 mL/kg/h, n = 10). Statistical analysis of paired initial and convalescent data demonstrated a significantly lower initial GFR, body weight, straight carapace length, and body temperature and significantly greater initial plasma concentrations of iohexol iodine, uric acid, and sodium. Initial GFR was negatively correlated with initial plasma uric acid concentrations. Initial GFR could not be calculated for two turtles because of minimal change in plasma iohexol iodine concentrations over time. Convalescent results could not be determined for two turtles due to death. These results provide the first direct evidence of reduced renal function in cold-stunned turtles.

Lemur leaf frogs (Hylomantis lemur) positive for Rhabdias sp. were treated topically with technical grade (6 or 60 mg/kg) or commercial selamectin (Revolution®, 6 mg/kg) dissolved in isopropyl alcohol. Frogs were treated weekly for three treatments. Feces were examined over 21 days for the presence or absence of Rhabdias sp., with the infection data analyzed by log linear analysis. Topical selamectin was not efficacious in the control of Rhabdias sp. in this species of frog.

This study evaluated the development of ovarian follicles of ball pythons (Python regius) ultrasonographically over two breeding seasons. In the first breeding season, four mature, adult female ball pythons were examined at 4–6 wk intervals. Data collected during each examination included the snake's weight and the number and size of the follicles observed. Dominant follicles were counted as “large” follicles and differentiated from the “small” follicles at a diameter of 20 mm. Snake behavior was observed daily. Three mature females ovulated and produced eggs during this season, whereas the fourth resorbed all follicles. In the second breeding season, four nulliparous females were added to the original four mature adults. They were examined ultrasonographically at 2–4 wk intervals, with similar data collected during each examination. The data from these two breeding cycles suggest that there are three distinct, identifiable stages of follicular development: follicular quiescence, atresia, and development to oviposition. Distinct morphological changes during follicular growth and maturation can be clearly observed ultrasonographically. As dominant follicles emerge, reliable predictions of ovulation dates, viable eggs, and number of eggs are possible. This study also provided data to predict ovulation dates and the expected number of eggs in ball python clutches.

Viruses in the genus Ranavirus (family Iridoviridae) are known to have the potential to adversely affect fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Ranaviruses are associated with large-scale die-offs and rapid population declines in amphibians. The development and progression of an outbreak, however, vary greatly depending on the host species and geographic location. We describe the recurrent course of an outbreak of common midwife toad virus in an isolated population (Staphorst) of common spadefoot toads (Pelobates fuscus) in The Netherlands from 2012 to 2015. After initial mass mortality of toad larvae in 2012, no mass mortality was recorded in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, however, a recurrent outbreak of the virus is believed to have caused high mortality rates among this species in the Staphorst population.

In captive reptiles, parasites may represent a serious health and management problem for both the reptiles and their human caretakers (zoonotic parasites). In the present study, the prevalence of ecto- and endoparasitic infections and the clinical signs associated with these parasites were determined in pet reptiles living in Italy. To accomplish these aims, fecal samples collected from 120 captive reptiles representing 27 different species, including 63 household pet and 57 pet store reptiles, were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for the isolation and identification of endoparasites. In addition, the reptiles, along with their terrariums and water containers, were also examined for ectoparasitic arthropods. Recovered arthropods were preserved in 80% ethanol and evaluated microscopically. Overall, 72.5% of the examined reptiles were found to be positive for parasites, with prevalence rates of 45% and of 27.5% for endo- and ectoparasites, respectively. Pet shop animals were more likely to be infected with endoparasites, whereas ectoparasites were more prevalent in household animals. Isolated endoparasites included protozoans (Entamoeba sp., Balantidium sp., Isospora jaracimrmani, and Caryospora corallae) and nematodes (ascarids, pinworms, and strongylid nematodes), while ectoparasites included mites (Ophionyssus natricis, Hirstiella stamii, and Hirstiella diolii) and a species of tick (Amblyomma latum). This study is the first report of H. stamii, H. diolii, and A. latum in Italy. Results of this study confirm that pathogenic and potentially zoonotic parasites are common among pet reptiles in Italy and highlight the role of veterinarians in educating the public regarding the need to control pet reptile parasitic diseases and prevent the introduction of exotic reptile parasitic species.