QUANTITATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF HEALTHY ADULT BOAS (BOA CONSTRICTOR)

Reproductive Management of Reptiles

Research in reproductive management of reptiles has focused on developing and investigating feasible methods that can be used in clinical practice and laboratory settings, including sexing in monomorphic species and methods of artificial insemination in endangered reptile species. In captive pet reptile species, research is focused on hormonal regulation of reproductive activity. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist implants may temporarily suppress reproductive endocrine system (eg, circulating concentrations of estrogens and progesterone) in female green iguanas but did not influence male iguana behavior and plasma testosterone levels. Additionally, it did not suppress reproductive activity of females of other lizard species (eg, leopard geckos).

Diagnostic Imaging of the Reptile Urinary System

Reptiles can develop various diseases of the urinary tract, including, but not exclusively, urolithiasis, gout, acute and chronic kidney injury, and secondary renal hyperparathyroidism. Diagnostic imaging is instrumental in differentiating and diagnosing these ailments. This article describes the current diagnostic imaging approaches used in reptile medicine for evaluation of urinary tract disease. The use of radiographs, ultrasonography, computed tomography, MRI, and endoscopy is discussed and compared for the evaluation of urinary tract disease in reptiles.