Rostral mandibular fracture repair in a pet bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

COMPLETE UNILATERAL MAXILLECTOMY IN A COHORT OF FIVE COLOMBIAN BOAS (BOA IMPERATOR)

Five unrelated adult Colombian boas (Boa imperator) presented with a 1- to 3-mon history of unilateral rostral swelling of the maxilla associated with a chronic rubbing against the enclosure's walls. Moderate to severe gingival inflammation and ulceration of the labial mucosa were present at the level of the swelling with tenderness to the touch. Radiography revealed osteolytic or proliferative lesions of the maxillary bone. Chronic maxillary osteomyelitis was diagnosed. Unilateral maxillectomy was performed on each animal under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia was also achieved by infiltrating lidocaine along the medial and lateral aspect of the maxillary gingiva and at the level of the maxillo-ectopterygoid joint. Using a lateral gingival approach, the maxillo-prefrontal, maxillary-palatine, and maxillo-ectopterygoid attachments were transected, and the maxillary bone removed. Histologic examination revealed pyogranulomatous stomatitis and osteomyelitis in all snakes, and presence of intralesional bacteria (n = 3 snakes). Gram-negative bacteria (Chryseobacterium indologenes and Proteus mirabilis) were cultured from the resected tissue of two snakes. One snake suffered from wound dehiscence 5 d postoperatively. All snakes were fed 15 d postoperatively and ingested dead mice without apparent difficulties. One snake was examined 2 mon and 1 yr after surgery, with no evidence of soft tissue or osseous infection and only minor facial scaring; all other snakes were lost to follow-up 15 d after surgery. Unilateral maxillectomy was performed in a cohort of five Colombian boas suffering from maxillary osteomyelitis. This surgical technique should be considered as an alternative to medical treatment in boid snakes.

Use of Rodent Sedation Tests to Evaluate Midazolam and Flumazenil in Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of rodent behavioral tests to assess the effects of midazolam and flumazenil in green iguanas. Four tests commonly used to assess sedation in rodents-the open field test, forced swim test, behavioral scale, and traction test-were conducted in 10 juveniles iguanas. The animals received midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) or 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM), and the tests were conducted between 0 and 300 min thereafter. To verify the effects of midazolam and flumazenil, the most informative tests from the evaluation stage and the limb withdrawal latency time (LWLT) were used. All 10 iguanas were tested under 4 conditions, as follows: MS, midazolam (2 mg/kg IM), followed 30 min later by 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM); FS, flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg IM), followed by 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM) 30 min later; MF, midazolam (2 mg/ kg IM), followed by flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg IM) 30 min later; and CON, 0.9% NaCl (0.4 mL/kg IM). The behavioral scale and the forced swim test showed the best detection of the onset, peak effect, and the differences between the sedated and control iguanas, with testing done between 15 and 240 min after drug administration. The sedative effect of midazolam began at 15 min and persisted through 180 min when assessed on the behavioral scale and 240 min when assessed by the forced swim test; flumazenil administration reversed the sedative effect. An increase in the LWLT was observed in the midazolam treatment groups between 15 and 30 min after drug administration. Flumazenil decreased LWLT between 15 and 180 min in the FS and at 60 min in the MF. In conclusion, the best methods to assess sedation in iguanas were the behavioral scale and the forced swim test. A dose of 2 mg/kg of midazolam was effective at inducing sedation in these juvenile iguanas, and this effect could be reversed by flumazenil.

Orthopedics in Reptiles and Amphibians

Musculoskeletal disorders are a common cause for presentation of reptiles and amphibians to the veterinarian. A clinical approach to orthopedic cases starts with a thorough history and review of husbandry, and identification of any underlying or concomitant disease. Medical management is indicated for pathologic fractures. Traumatic fractures may require surgical intervention. Stabilization options include external coaptation and/or external and internal fixation. Special considerations must be given to shell fractures in chelonians. Many techniques used in mammalian practice can be applied to reptiles and amphibians, although some species may require prolonged healing times by comparison.