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Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 9[1]:31-33 Spring'99 Case Report 1 Refs

- HISTORY: A 4.3 kg, 107 cm adult male spectacled caiman, Caiman crocodilus crocodilus, was presented with a three month history of anorexia. The caiman had been previously treated with vitamin B-complex, enrofloxacin, and vitamins A and D3 over a 30 day period. On physical examination the caiman was depressed and lethargic. General muscle wasting was apparent in the limbs and epaxial muscles. A linear object, approximately 15 cm long, was palpated in the caudal coelomic cavity. A complete blood count and serum chemistry panel were declined because of financial constraints, but the owner agreed to survey radiographs of the coelomic cavity (Figures 1-4). DIAGNOSIS: The caiman was manually restrained for radiographic evaluation. A curvilinear, tubular air-filled foreign body was noted immediately caudal to the diaphragm. Small mineral opacities were found adjacent to and within the hollow, tubular gastric foreign body. Protrusion of the diaphragm on the lateral view suggested the gastric lumen as the most likely location of the foreign body. Final diagnosis was linear foreign body, resulting from the ingestion of the aeration tube from the aquarium powerhead. Endoscopic retrieval was scheduled to remove the gastric foreign body and if the procedure was unsuccessful exploratory coeliotomy was to be pursued. Attempts to remove the tube using flexible grasping forceps and flexible biopsy forceps proved unsuccessful. A decision was made to pursue exploratory coeliotomy. A paramedian incision was made from the pubis to the xiphoid process identifying and avoiding the ventral abdominal vein. The pyloric and fundic regions of the stomach were carefully exteriorized and a 2 cm incision was made in the fundic region. A 5 cm pliable rubber tube was removed through the incision. The gastric mucosa was hyperemic as a result of the chronic irritation from the tube. The coelomic cavity was irrigated with 50 ml of warmed 0.9% sterile saline prior to closing the body wall and subcuticular space. Recovery from anesthesia was uneventful. The animal was discharged from the hospital approximately 96 hours post-operatively. Thirty-five days postoperatively the caiman was reported to have a normal appetite and attitude and a weight gain of 2.5 kg. The owner reports no complications two years following initial presentation.