Trismus in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presentation, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of cases of trismus (lockjaw) in cold-stunned sea turtles. ANIMALS: 4 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and 1 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle. METHODS: Cold-stunned sea turtles that presented with difficulty or inability to open their jaw between 2009 and 2023 were included. Information retrieved from medical records included signalment, physical exam findings, diagnostic information, definitive diagnosis via either advanced imaging or histopathology, treatment, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Turtles presented between 4 and 48 days into rehabilitation. Three were diagnosed by advanced imaging (CT or MRI), and 2 were diagnosed based on clinical signs and postmortem histopathology. Treatment was multimodal and consisted of antibiotics (5/5), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (5/5), vitamin E (3/5), intralesional steroid therapy (3/5), acupuncture (3/5), antifungals (2/5), anti-inflammatory parenteral steroids (2/5), physical therapy (2/5), therapeutic laser (2/5), and supportive feeding via either total parenteral nutrition (1/5), or tube feedings (2/5). Two animals were released, 2 died naturally, and 1 was euthanized. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Trismus (lockjaw) is an uncommon finding in stranded cold-stunned sea turtles that can have a significant impact on animal welfare if not diagnosed and treated. This report describes the condition to aid clinical case management and resource allocation in rehabilitation facilities.

Evaluation of the Respiratory Microbiome and the Use of Tracheal Lavage as a Diagnostic Tool in Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempii).

Respiratory disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in sea turtles, including the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). Although culture-dependent methods are typically used to characterize microbes associated with pneumonia and to determine treatment, culture-independent methods can provide a deeper understanding of the respiratory microbial communities and lead to a more accurate diagnosis. In this study, we characterized the tracheal lavage microbiome from cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles at three time points during rehabilitation (intake, rehabilitation, and convalescence) by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene collected from tracheal lavage samples. We retrospectively developed a radiographic scoring system to grade the severity of lung abnormalities in these turtles and found no differences in diversity or composition of microbial communities based on radiographic score. We also found that the culture isolates from tracheal lavage samples, as well as other previously reported sea turtle pathogens, were present in variable abundance across sequenced samples. In addition to the tracheal microbial community of live turtles, we characterized microbial communities from other segments of the respiratory tract (glottis, trachea, anterior lung, posterior lung) from deceased turtles. We found a high degree of variability within turtles and a high degree of dissimilarity between different segments of the respiratory tract and the tracheal lavage collected from the same turtle. In summary, we found that the pulmonary microbial community associated with pneumonia in sea turtles is complex and does not correlate well with the microbial community as identified by tracheal lavage. These results underscore the limitations of using tracheal lavage for identification of the causative agents of pneumonia in sea turtles.

Osteomyelitis in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) hospitalized for rehabilitation: 25 cases (2008-2018).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize osteolytic lesions in cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) hospitalized for rehabilitation and describe methods used for the management of such lesions. ANIMALS: 25 stranded, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles hospitalized between 2008 and 2018. PROCEDURES: Medical records of sea turtles with a diagnosis of osteolytic lesions were reviewed retrospectively to obtain the date of diagnosis, clinical signs, radiographic findings, microbial culture results, hematologic and plasma biochemical data, cytologic and histologic findings, antimicrobial history, time to first negative culture result, treatment duration, and outcome. RESULTS: Lesions were identified radiographically a median of 50 days after admission and were located within epiphyses or metaphyses of various appendicular joints. Lesions were associated with periarticular swelling (n = 24), lameness (16), lethargy (2), and hyporexia (2). Bacterial culture yielded growth of single organisms (n = 16), multiple organisms (2), or no growth (6). Significant differences in hematologic and biochemical data were detected between the times of diagnosis and convalescence. Cytologic and histologic findings characterized the lesions as osteomyelitis leading to septic arthritis. Sixteen sea turtles were managed medically, and 8 were managed medically and surgically. Surgery resulted in rapid improvement in joint mobility and overall clinical status. Most (22/25 [88%]) sea turtles survived and were released after long-term management. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: During rehabilitation, cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles may be affected by osteomyelitis. Medical management based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing was effective for most turtles. Long term management efforts in turtles are justified by high survival rate.

Lumbosacral agenesis in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: Lumbosacral agenesis is a rare congenital condition reported in children. We report a 17-week-old female domestic shorthair cat with lumbosacral agenesis on whole-body radiographs. The cat was euthanized shortly thereafter presentation. A necropsy was not permitted. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This is the first reported feline case of lumbosacral agenesis.

Evaluation of risk factors associated with recurrent obstruction in cats treated medically for urethral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for short-term recurrent urethral obstruction in cats after treatment by means of urinary catheterization and hospitalization. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 83 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES: Physical examination findings, laboratory abnormalities, treatment decisions, and environmental changes were evaluated as risk factors for recurrent urethral obstruction in the 30 days following hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of the 68 cats with completed follow-up surveys, 10 had an episode of recurrent urethral obstruction. Older cats were significantly more likely to have recurrent urethral obstruction. No specific laboratory abnormalities were associated with the risk of recurrent urethral obstruction. Longer duration of catheterization was significantly associated with a decreased risk of recurrent urethral obstruction. Duration of hospitalization and volume of IV fluids delivered were not significantly associated with recurrent urethral obstruction. Increasing water availability after discharge was associated with a decreased risk of recurrent urethral obstruction. There was no association between diet and recurrent urethral obstruction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study suggested that longer duration of catheterization may be associated with a lower probability of short-term recurrent urethral obstruction in male cats. Older cats were at higher risk for recurrent obstruction. Owners should be encouraged to increase water availability after discharge in cats treated for urethral obstruction to decrease the likelihood of recurrence.

Sonographic assessment of gallbladder volume in normal cats.

We quantified gallbladder volume in 30 clinically healthy, fasted, cats, using an ellipsoid formula. All cats had a complete blood count and serum chemistry profile performed. Fasting times before sonography ranged from 12 to 16 h. The median gallbladder volume was 2.42 ml, with a range of 0.84-4.50 ml. The mean gallbladder volume was 2.41 ml. This reference range will assist clinicians when evaluating cats with hepatobiliary disease or suspected extrahepatic biliary obstruction.