A 6-yr-old female central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was examined for a 6 month history of increasing coelomic distention, dyspnea, dysorexia, and tenesmus. Complementary examinations revealed hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased creatine kinase, and a heterogeneous polycystic mass with peripheral coelomic effusion. An exploratory coeliotomy revealed a mass at the anatomical location of the right ovary and follicular stasis of the left ovary; bilateral ovariectomy was performed. After anatomopathological and bacterial examination, the dragon was diagnosed with benign ovarian teratoma and secondary bacterial infection. The presence of yolk and remnants of the ovary with several cell types originating from different origins, which was confirmed by immunohistological examination, is consistent with ovarian teratoma lesions generally observed in other species.

A 5-yr-old male central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented for investigation of blood in the voided urates. A small cutaneous mass was detected in the gular region, but the clinical examination was otherwise unremarkable. Fecal parasitology was negative. Initially, further diagnostics were declined and antimicrobial treatment was initiated. At re-examination 1 month later, the gular mass had increased in size and an additional mass was detected within the coelomic cavity. Both masses were surgically excised and diagnosed by histopathology as a high-grade anaplastic sarcoma (gular mass), resembling a histiocytic sarcoma, and a Sertoli cell tumor (coelomic mass). Neither of these have been previously reported in the central bearded dragon. Twenty months post-surgery, the lizard remains well with no recurrence of clinical signs or evidence of tumor re-growth.

Marine debris ingestion and entanglement have caused morbidity and mortality in multiple marine species, including all seven species of sea turtles. This case series outlines six cases in which advanced imaging modalities were used to diagnose marine debris–induced foreign body obstructions and to aid in the treatment of wounds caused by marine debris entanglement. Prefemoral ultrasonography was used to correctly diagnose a monofilament fishing line linear foreign body obstruction in a juvenile female Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and a subadult female loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Administration of iodinated contrast confirmed a complete upper gastrointestinal obstruction in a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Traditional radiographs were nondiagnostic in all three animals. Barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres were used to identify a partial gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction in a juvenile green sea turtle. Endoscopy was used in multiple cases as both a diagnostic and a therapeutic tool. This case series demonstrates that contrast radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy are accurate diagnostic tools for the identification of marine debris–induced foreign body obstructions in sea turtles.

Cold-stunned loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) strand annually in the northeastern United States and are admitted to rehabilitation facilities when rescued alive. Hematologic and plasma biochemical data were retrospectively evaluated from 133 cold-stunned loggerhead turtles that were admitted for rehabilitation between 2008 and 2016. Convalescent data were compared with initial data for 24 turtles for which paired data were available. Convalescent values for white blood cell count, heterophil count creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, and uric acid were significantly lower than initial values, whereas convalescent eosinophil count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and potassium were significantly higher. Results indicate that cold-stunned loggerhead turtles may be affected by dehydration, reduced renal function, cellular injury, deranged metabolic status, and activation of the adrenocortical stress response. Specific derangements associated with mortality could not be statistically characterized because only four turtles died.

Studies on the effects of anticoagulants on blood samples in reptiles are limited. Eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) have unique physiological features that are still not well understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lithium heparin, tripotassium ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), trisodium citrate, and the use of no anticoagulant on various hematological analytes of the eastern indigo snake. Blood was collected from 10 female eastern indigo snakes and transferred in aliquots into three anticoagulants; it was also processed without anticoagulant. Packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), plasma color, and data from blood film evaluations were compared. Significant differences were found for PCV (P < 0.0001) and TS (P < 0.0001). Both analytes were significantly lower in citrated samples, and heparinized samples had lower TS than EDTA-preserved and non-anticoagulated samples. Although there were no differences in absolute numbers and morphological quality among treatments, heparinized blood samples had a higher heterophil percentage (P = 0.039) compared to non-anticoagulated samples, and both heparinized and EDTA-preserved samples had lower azurophil percentages (P = 0.039) than non-anticoagulated samples. Hemolysis was absent in all samples. Heparinization produced a blue background hue on blood films that was absent in all other methods. This preliminary study demonstrates that heparinized, EDTA-preserved, and non-anticoagulated blood samples are equally superior for hematological evaluation over citrated samples because of its effect on the PCV. This finding has clinical application and it is advised to avoid citrate as an anticoagulant in eastern indigo snakes.

Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used in anurans, limited pharmacodynamic data are available regarding their value, particularly with regards to repeated dosing. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of serial, once-daily NSAID dosing in smoky jungle frogs (Leptodactylus pentadactylus). Twenty frogs were randomly assigned to receive one of five treatments, once daily for six consecutive days: topical diclofenac (1 mg/kg) or subcutaneous firocoxib (5 mg/kg), ketoprofen (1 mg/kg), meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg), or an equal volume 0.9% saline (control). An acetic acid test was used to determine the nociceptive threshold for each frog 2, 8, 24, 48, and 144 h after initial drug administration. All frogs were euthanized on day 7 for gross examination and histopathology. No significant difference in response was noted for any drug at any time point compared with saline. Mean or median test response for NSAID groups was greater than or equal to saline in 3/4, 2/4, 4/4, 4/4, and 3/4 frogs at 2, 8, 24, 48, and 144 h, respectively. Significant necropsy findings included epidermal necrosis of the hindlimbs in 7/20 frogs (NSAID groups), gastric ulceration in 6/ 20 frogs (NSAID and saline groups), and renal tubular degeneration in 1/20 frogs (NSAID group). None of the aforementioned pathologies were suspected to be secondary to NSAID administration. Further research regarding NSAID pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in anurans is warranted. Topical acetic acid is correlated with epidermal necrosis in smoky jungle frogs.