Mycobacteriosis was implicated in the deaths of eight Chinese gliding frogs (Rhacophorus dennysi) in a zoo population over a 3 yr period. Clinical signs included nonhealing skin lesions, cloacal prolapse, hind limb weakness, weight loss, and sudden death. Abnormalities on postmortem were proliferative or ulcerative skin lesions in four of eight, pneumonia in three of eight, and gall bladder empyema in two of eight cases. All eight clinical cases had multisystemic granulomas containing acid-fast bacilli. Tissues most commonly affected were lung (seven of eight), liver (six of eight), kidney (six of eight), spleen (five of eight), and heart (five of eight). The remaining eight clinically normal frogs in the population were euthanized: eight of eight had granulomatous lesions, with acid-fast bacilli in three of eight cases. A mycobacterial species was cultured from four of the clinical cases by the Public Health Ontario Laboratory and was initially misidentified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by a commercial line-probe assay (GenoType Mycobacterium CM, Hain Lifesciences, Nehren, Germany). Further diagnostic testing using 16S rRNA gene sequencing ultimately identified the mycobacterial species as Mycobacterium marinum. The correct identification of mycobacterial species is essential in epidemiological investigations at zoological facilities, and in assessing health risks to staff and to other animals in the zoo population.

A 5-yr-old female Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) was presented for a lack of fecal output, anorexia, and lethargy. Several weeks prior the tegu underwent a rapid diet change to whole rodents. Computed tomography revealed a mineral-dense calculus in the distal colon, causing gastrointestinal obstruction. Because of poor response to enteric fluid therapy alone, transcloacal enterolith removal was elected. Under sedation and neuraxial anesthesia, saline-infusion cloacoscopy was performed and the calculus visualized and destructed using a dental burr on a low-speed dental handpiece and grasping forceps. Recovery from the procedure was unremarkable. Fluid therapy and oral lactulose therapy were prescribed postoperatively. The tegu began to defecate several days later. Transcloacal calculus destruction with a low-speed drill under cloacoscopic guidance should be considered a noninvasive option for management of colonic and cloacal calculi in larger lizard species.

The San Salvador rock iguana (Cyclura rileyi rileyi) is a critically endangered lizard restricted to a single island and its islets in The Bahamas. As part of a translocation project, 21 San Salvador rock iguanas were captured for physical examinations, complete blood counts (CBC), plasma biochemical analyses, fecal and hematologic endoparasite analyses, and nutrition evaluations. All San Salvador rock iguanas appeared to be healthy based on weight, activity, and physical examination. Blood samples were collected in lithium heparin to determine CBC, hemoparasite, and biochemistry results, including vitamin and mineral analyses. The CBC results indicate that San Salvador rock iguanas have relatively higher levels of lymphocytes and monocytes and lower levels of heterophils and azurophils compared with other West Indies Cyclura species. Biochemistry values were similar to other Cyclura species, with wide ranges noted in cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatine phosphokinase. There were no hemoparasites seen. Fecal samples were collected and analyzed for parasites and bacteria (culture). Oxyurids were the only fecal parasite seen. Fecal bacterial culture was consistent with previously reported findings in other iguanid species. This information serves as baseline reference data for future health assessments of the San Salvador iguana and provides valuable information toward managing the translocation program for this endangered species.

A 16-yr-old male midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) presented for evaluation of a crusted cervical lesion and conjunctivitis. The patient initially underwent several treatments of both topical and systemic antimicrobial therapies for dermatitis. Despite treatment guided by results of cytology, crust histopathology, and bacterial culture and sensitivity, dermal lesions were progressive, and a deep excisional biopsy was performed of the two largest lesions. Results of histopathology revealed an incompletely excised squamous cell carcinoma with secondary bacterial and fungal infections. Strontium-90 plesiotherapy was applied to all visible skin lesions, in addition to cryotherapy of a right-eyelid mass 5 wk later. These therapies provided a disease-free interval of less than 45 days in this patient. Because of progressive disease, the turtle was euthanized 7 wk after strontium-90 plesiotherapy. Results of necropsy revealed multifocal squamous cell carcinoma of the head, neck, and left forelimb with local neoplastic invasion and associated cellulitis and dermatitis. Treatment of multifocal cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with strontium-90 and cryotherapy did not prevent disease progression in this turtle.

Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) is a bath anesthetic agent commonly used in amphibians, but few studies have demonstrated its efficacy in a wide variety of anuran species. In this study, White's tree frogs (Litoria caerulea; n = 9) were used in a blinded, randomized, complete cross-over study to assess the anesthetic effects of two MS-222 concentrations (0.5 g/L and 2 g/L). Frogs were placed in MS-222 to induce chemical restraint. Heart and gular rates and palpebral, corneal, withdrawal, and righting reflexes were measured every 5 min. Frogs were removed from the anesthetic solution when reflexes were lost or after 25 min. Only mild sedation was induced with 0.5 g/L MS-222 after 25 min in all frogs, and surgical anesthesia was induced in all frogs with 2 g/L MS-222 within 5–20 min. Time from rinsing with distilled water to regaining reflexes in the 2 g/L group ranged from 10 to 43 min. There was a time-dependent decrease in heart rate with no significant difference between treatments. There was a significant decrease in gular rate for the 2 g/L dose compared to the 0.5 g/L dose. These results suggest that 0.5 g/L MS-222 can be used for mild sedation to facilitate diagnostic techniques, and 2 g/L MS-222 can be used to induce surgical anesthesia in White's tree frogs.

A wild, adult, female Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana floridana) was evaluated for injuries sustained after vehicular trauma. On presentation the turtle had a minimally displaced caudal carapacial fracture, marked hyphema in the right eye, epistaxis, and frank hemorrhage from the cloaca. Immediately following initial triage, the turtle laid eight eggs and produced seven more over 72 h. After approximately 3 wk of hospitalization and treatment, the turtle received access to an outdoor water enclosure. Positive buoyancy was observed and a large, gas-filled, Y-shaped structure was identified in the caudal coelom via computed tomography. Cloacoscopy confirmed right-sided accessory cystitis, secondary to a focal necrotic wound with a mixed bacterial infection. After wound debridement and 3 wk of antibiotic therapy, the patient successfully submerged, there was no gas present in the accessory bladders, and the previous necrotic wound showed excellent healing on recheck cloacoscopy. This is the first report of accessory cystitis in the literature and it should be considered a differential for positive buoyancy in chelonian species that possess accessory bladders.