Diagnosis and management of oviductal disease in three red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

The Use of Prefemoral Endoscope-Assisted Surgery and Transplastron Coeliotomy in Chelonian Reproductive Disorders

Throughout the last decades, the increased popularity of the keeping of reptiles has led to a better understanding of the captive needs of a wide variety of species. Although this is reflected by the successful captive reproduction in many of those species, reproductive disorders such as preovulatory follicular stasis, postovulatory dystocia, secondary yolk coelomitis, and prolapse of the oviduct and male copulatory organ are commonly encountered in veterinary practice. In comparison to squamates, chelonians with postovulatory dystocia seem to be more responsive to oxytocin treatment, even in cases of chronic dystocia. There are various conditions, however, that necessitate the use of surgical procedures for the treatment of dystocia and other reproductive disorders in chelonians. Although restrictions may be encountered, the endoscope-assisted prefemoral approach is the least invasive and thus preferred technique instead of the ventral transplastron coeliotomy. The present report describes the diagnostic and surgical approach applied in seven cases of female chelonians with reproductive disorders. The therapeutic efficacy largely relied on the choice of minimally invasive endoscope-assisted surgery versus transplastron coeliotomy that was primarily dictated by the involved species, etiology, and associated pathology.

Comparison of Lateral and Dorsal Recumbency during Endoscope-Assisted Oophorectomy in Mature Pond Sliders (Trachemys scripta)

Simple Summary

Ovariectomy via the prefemoral fossa, with or without endoscopic assistance, is a well-described technique for elective and therapeutic sterilization in chelonians. The choice between lateral and dorsal recumbency is generally left to the surgeon’s preference, with no data supporting an objective superiority of one over the other. In pond sliders, common pets but also an invasive alien species in Europe, we compared two different recumbencies (right lateral with a left fossa approach, and dorsal with a right fossa approach) regarding ease of access to the coelomic cavity, ease of identification of the ovary opposite to the surgical breach, first and second ovary removal times, and total surgical time. No significant difference was found between the two groups for any evaluated parameter. Endoscope-assisted prefemoral ovariectomy in mature pond sliders can be indifferently performed in lateral or dorsal recumbency, depending on the preference of the surgeon, on the animal’s pathophysiologic status, or on the necessity to perform concurrent procedures.

Abstract

Ovariectomy via the prefemoral fossa is a well-described technique for sterilization in chelonians. The choice between lateral and dorsal recumbency is generally left to the surgeon’s preference, with no data supporting an objective superiority of one over the other. Twenty-four sexually mature female pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) were enrolled for elective prefemoral endoscope-assisted oophorectomy, and were randomly divided in two groups: 12 animals were placed in right lateral recumbency with a left fossa approach (Group A), and 12 in dorsal recumbency with a right fossa approach (Group B). Scoring systems were applied to assess the ease of access to the coelomic cavity, and the ease of identification of the ovary opposite to the surgical incision. A negative correlation was found between the body weight of the animals and the ease of access to the coelom (p = 0.013), making the access easier in smaller animals. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ease of access to the coelomic cavity, first ovary removal time, ease of identification of the second ovary, second ovary removal time, or total surgery time.

Reproductive Medicine in Freshwater Turtles and Land Tortoises

Chelonian reproductive medicine is an extremely important facet to ensuring captive populations for the pet trade and conservation efforts around the globe. This article covers basic chelonian reproductive anatomy and physiology, natural history, behavior, and sexing chelonians, in addition to discussing reproductive disorders that are commonly seen by veterinarians. Reproductive disorders covered include infertility, dystocia, follicular stasis, egg yolk coelomitis, phallus prolapse, and reproductive neoplasia. It is hoped that this information will allow clinicians to recognize, understand, and successfully treat reproductive disorders in chelonians, thus providing the best available care for our chelonian patients.

Reptile Soft Tissue Surgery

The surgical approach to reptiles can be challenging. Reptiles have unique physiologic, anatomic, and pathologic differences. This may result in frustrating surgical experiences. However, recent investigations provided novel, less invasive, surgical techniques. The purpose of this review was to describe the technical aspects behind soft tissue surgical techniques that have been used in reptiles, so as to provide a general guideline for veterinarians working with reptiles.

Coelioscopic and Endoscope-Assisted Sterilization of Chelonians

Elective sterilization is a safe and well-established surgical procedure performed in dogs and cats worldwide. Conversely, chelonian sterilization has been mostly performed therapeutically, because of the intricate anatomy and difficult access to the reproductive organs, and consequently, reproductive problems and diseases remain common. With the advance of veterinary endoscopy, novel techniques of soft tissue prefemoral coelioscopic and endoscope-assisted sterilization have been published, and preventative chelonian sterilization is now a reality. Nevertheless, extrapolations between species should be carefully considered, and further studies are warranted. This article summarizes and describes the current coelioscopic and coelioscope-assisted sterilization techniques for chelonia.