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Chapter 34

Turtles

Turtles are part of a larger taxonomic group of shelled Gastrointestinal Obstruction
reptiles, the Chelonia, that also includes tortoises and
terrapins. Turtles and related reptiles occasionally eat stones,
which can cause partial or complete intestinal block-
age that sometimes is insidious and intermittent. In
III RADIOGRAPHY this latter regard, one or more rocks may be radio-
graphically identified in the stomach or intestinal tract

We typically image turtles and other reptiles in this of a sick turtle, tortoise, or terrapin.
group while fully conscious, obtaining three full-body Since gastrointestinal foreign bodies may be inci-

views: dorsoventral, lateral, and craniocaudal. The dental findings, subsequent progress examinations are
former image is made with a vertical beam, and the often done to determine whether the object or objects
latter two are produced with a horizontal beam (Figures in question move or remain static. Those objects that
34-1 and 34-2). remain fixed in position are usually assumed to be

causative, whereas those that gradually move along or
are passed are considered innocuous (Figures 34-6 and
III DISEASES 34-7).

Pneumonia Reproduction
Pneumonia is one of the most common “turtle dis- Turtles lay eggs, either hard- or soft-shelled, depend-
eases” seen in our hospital. Although it may be unilat- ing on the species. The former are the easiest to iden-
eral or bilateral (double pneumonia), unilateral tify radiographically, typically appearing as multiple,
pneumonia is by far the more common. Turtles sus- dense, oval-shaped rings with a mild to moderate
pected of having pneumonia are given a shallow water increase in interior opacity, compared with the sur-

flotation test. If they cannot maintain their normal rounding abdominal viscera (Figure 34-8). Care must
surface buoyancy or exhibit asymmetrical fl otation be taken not to mistake colonic folds for eggs (Figure
(Figure 34-3), then the possibility of consolidative lung 34-9).
disease becomes greater.
Radiographically, pneumonia in turtles and reptiles Gout
in this group is characterized by pulmonary consolida-
tion, which depending on severity, increases lung Gout produces fairly typical lesions that usually are
density, sometimes to the point of completely opacify- symmetrical, affect both forelimbs and hind limbs,
ing one side of the chest (Figure 34-4). Although uneven begin distally, and spread proximally (Figure 34-10).
inflation may be caused by pneumonia, it is more often Some infections resemble gout radiographically but

attributed to secondary mechanical defl ation caused rarely are symmetrical.
by the head, neck, and limbs being withdrawn into the

lateral recesses, which flank the animal’s upper and
lower shells, the carapace and plastron, respectively
(Figure 34-5).
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