Mite infestation of reptiles is a common problem that can be quite burdensome to treat. Mites leave the host and reproduce in bedding, caging, and housing of the reptiles, making environmental treatment as important as animal treatment. In a small study, Bravecto^® (Fluralaner, Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ, USA), used at a dose used in dogs and cats, was effective in controlling external parasites in a group of ball pythons (Python regius) without extensive environmental cleaning.

A 9-yr-old female McDowell's carpet python (Morelia spilota mcdowelli) presented with an 8-month history of anorexia. A rostral subcutaneous abscess was diagnosed by cytology and surgical excision was elected. During ultrasound-guided cardiocentesis for preanesthetic blood work, severe right atrial dilation and hypokinesis, thickened and irregular atrio-ventricular valves, ventricular myocardial hyperechoic foci, and subjective ventricular hypokinesis were observed. Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) was observed inside the right atrial cavity. Echocardiographic lesions were consistent with restrictive cardiomyopathy previously described in a case report involving the same subspecies, with additional concurrent thrombus formation. SEC has not been previously described in reptiles, and the presence of simultaneous SEC and restrictive cardiomyopathy suggests that it might be predictive of thrombus formation, as is the case in mammals. Following surgical excision of the rostral abscess, anorexia resolved, suggesting asymptomatic cardiopathy despite severe cardiac lesions. Further studies are needed to confirm the prevalence of cardiac diseases in reptiles and whether severe cardiac disease can be asymptomatic in captive snakes. Routine echocardiography in asymptomatic snakes with nonspecific signs is encouraged.

A 2 yr old female ball python (Python regius) was presented to the University of Georgia Zoological Medicine Service for evaluation of oral discharge. The snake was anesthetized for diagnostic imaging, a tracheal wash, and blood collection. Under anesthesia, blood was obtained via cardiocentesis with a 25-g needle using standard protocol. Immediately following blood collection, a swelling was noted in the region of the heart. The snake was unable to recover from anesthesia and the heart subsequently stopped based on doppler assessment. The cause of death at necropsy was determined to be acute cardiac tamponade secondary to hemopericardium, with no additional histologic lesions noted within the heart. This is the first report of cardiac tamponade following cardiocentesis in a snake without a diagnosed cardiopathy, suggesting that risk factors should be considered when performing cardiocentesis in this species.

Two vascular tumors in two Argentine horned frogs (Ceratophrys ornata) are described. Case 1 involved a 7-yr-1-month-old Argentine horned frog that had a splenic mass with a sanguineous coelomic effusion. Histologically, the splenic parenchyma was effaced by a poorly demarcated, invasive mass consisting of spindle cells with marked nuclear atypia forming irregular blood vessel channels containing blood. Case 2 involved a pedunculated facial mass located at the upper right lip of an over-8-month-old Argentine horned frog. Histologically, the well-demarcated, poorly cellular mass consisted of sparse proliferation of spindle cells forming irregular slits with prominent edema. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells of both cases were positive for anti-CD31 antibody. The diagnoses were hemangiosarcoma in Case 1 and lymphangioma in Case 2. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of neoplastic diseases in captive Argentine horned frogs.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 has been shown to increase significantly in inflamed ophidian skin and chelonian muscles. Nonselective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors, such as ketoprofen, could therefore reduce inflammation more effectively than preferential COX-2 inhibitors in reptiles. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential adverse effects of ketoprofen in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Thirteen adult bearded dragons were divided into three groups receiving daily intramuscular injections for 14 days in a blinded randomized study design. Group 1 (n = 5) received saline, Group 2 (n = 4) received ketoprofen at 2 mg/kg (diluted 1:10 with saline) and Group 3 (n = 4) received ketoprofen at 20 mg/kg (undiluted). Biochemical values, fecal occult blood (FOB) tests, and blood clotting time were assessed before and after the 2-wk treatment. Renal, digestive, hepatic, and muscular histopathology was evaluated. Clinically, injection-site reactions were noted in Group 3 only (n = 1/4). No other clinical adverse effects were detected. No changes were detected in plasma biochemical values and clotting times before and after treatments, nor were changes detected between control and treatment groups. No lesion associated with ketoprofen toxicity was detected on histologic examination of the kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Lesions of muscular necrosis at the injection sites were of higher magnitude in Group 3 compared to Group 1. In conclusion, daily intramuscular administration of diluted ketoprofen at 2 mg/kg for 14 days did not cause adverse effects in a small number of bearded dragons, whereas severe muscular necrosis was detected at 20 mg/kg.

The purpose of the present report is to describe feasibility and gross postmortem results of oblique prefemoral ovariectomy in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) performed by veterinarians in a teaching environment. Sixteen red-eared sliders were included in a teaching workshop. The turtles were anesthetized and placed in dorsolateral recumbency at an oblique 45-degree angle by use of folded towels. After prefemoral access to the celom and placement of a retractor with elastic bands, the ipsilateral follicles were exteriorized via gentle maneuvering with cotton tip applicators and excised after application of titanium clips and cautery with bipolar radiosurgery. On 14 of the 16 chelonians (87.5%) surgery was successfully completed. Of the two chelonians that did not have the surgical procedure completed, one had marked celomitis with adhesion of the ovaries to the liver and one had immature ovaries. At the end of the surgical procedures all chelonians were euthanized and postmortem was performed. The 14 chelonians that had surgery completed had no evident remaining ovarian tissue on gross postmortem. A survey completed by the attendants 9 mo after the workshop showed that a minority of the respondents (1/17) found the procedure difficult and that one of the seven respondents that performed the surgery after the workshop was not able to complete the procedure. This report indicates that oblique prefemoral ovariectomy in mature red-eared sliders can be effectively taught to veterinarians during a workshop, and that if the procedure is completed, the chances of leaving ovarian remnants are low.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis, characterized by a complex ecological cycle, including the environment, wild and domestic animals, and humans. It is also considered a water-borne infection. Although a solid body of data is available for more conventional hosts, limited information is available on neglected species such as reptiles, especially Testudinidae, both captive and free-ranging. Molecular and serological tests were performed to detect Leptospira spp. in Testudo spp. in Italy. Leptospiral DNA was detected using cloacal swabs collected from 116 individuals (54 free-ranging and 62 captive tortoises) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Unfortunately, because of the presence of PCR inhibitors, swabs from only 50 animals were eligible for analysis. A serological microagglutination test was performed on 121 Testudo spp. (7 free-ranging and 114 rescued tortoises). Sixteen individuals were tested using both assays, and the remainder were tested with one or the other. Ten out of 50 (20%) amplifiable cloacal swabs were positive for Leptospira DNA, the identity of which was confirmed by sequencing two amplicons. Two out of four repeatedly sampled animals only tested positive in the autumn. Seroprevalence was relatively low (0.8%, 1/121), at low titer (1:100). No positivity was recorded among free-ranging animals. Although these results do not provide a complete epidemiological snapshot of leptospirosis in chelonians, they suggest that tortoises are susceptible to pathogenic Leptospira. Further data are needed to determine the role of the captive environment as a possible predisposing factor and to assess the role of these reptiles in the ecology of leptospirosis.