Hepatic Abscess due to Corynebacterium sp. in Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 8[1]:13-15 Spring'98 Case Report 7 Refs

- An adult, 3.7 kg. female desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, was presented with a chief complaint of anorexia and depression. The tortoise had a history of inappetence, of unknown duration and constipation. On physical exam, the tortoise was weak and lethargic. Coelomic palpations were within normal limits. Hydration, external nares and cloaca were normal. Dorsoventral radiographs were taken and hematology and plasma chemistry were performed. The radiograph showed an approximately 8 cm diameter, radiodense area caudal to the right axilla in the area of the right hepatic lobe. The hemogram demonstrated a leukocytosis with a heterophilia and lymphocytosis. A tentative diagnosis of a hepatic abscess was made. A recommendation for surgery was declined. The tortoise was treated with enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg PO q 24 hours for 21 days, and metronidazole at 50 mg/kg PO q 24 hours for 21 days. The tortoise was examined three months later and euthanasia was elected due to a poor prognosis. At necropsy, an 8.0 cm diameter, 210 gram, solid mass was found in the right lobe of the liver. The mass had a fibrous capsule and the contents of the mass were light tan on the cut surface. The inside surface of the capsule was swabbed and submitted for aerobic and anaerobic culture. The swab grew a pure culture of Corynebacterium sp. (no further characterization of this isolate is available). No acid fast or PAS-positive organisms were noted histologically.