Ingestion of foreign body in green iguana (Iguana iguana).

Background: Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are arboreal herbivorous species of lizards of the genus Iguana, native to Central and South America and Caribbean. Because demand for pet iguanas increased the incidence of problems related to sanitary handling and feeding of these animals also increased. Cases of atony caused by ingestion of foreign bodies, particularly of substratum can occur. This article aims to contribute to a better clarifi cation of atonia in the Green Iguana that is caused by the ingestion of foreign bodies. Case: A 1-year-old female green iguana weighing 1,3 kg, was referred to the Veterinary Clinic Pet Fauna, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, on August 2012, with an apparent loss of appetite. The animal was apathetic, dehydrated, had a abdominal distension and low body score. Revealed an increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), monocytosis and decreased of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (CAGH). Ozolaimus cirratus was found on parasitological examination of faecal sample. Ultrasound showed hyper echoic nodular structures in the region of the stomach and intestine and intestinal atony. Radiographs revealed radiopaque hyperdense areas in the topography of stomach and intestinal lumen, compatible with foreign body. The treatment fl uid was set with 0.9% sodium chloride solution (50 mg/kg, SC, every 24 h), ceftazidime (20 mg/kg, IM, every 72 h), metoclopramide (0.06 mg/kg, SC, every 24 h). The animal underwent gastrostomy for removal of foreign bodies. The anesthesia used was butorphanol (0.5 mg/kg, IM), ketamine (20 mg/kg, IM) and maintained with isofl uorane gas. At surgery, a large amount of foreign bodies were removed. After the operation , the animal was treated with meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg IM, SID, for 3 days), butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg, IM, SID, for 10 days), sucralfate (500 mg/kg, PO, BID). The treatment was maintained with ceftazidime, metoclopramide and fl uid. Febendazol (25 mg/kg) was use to treat the parasitism. Discussion: The ingestion of foreign bodies in reptiles is a common problem and can lead to severe clinical conditions in terms of the obstruction the digestive tract. The owners reported the presence of cuttings as the substrate used in the store where the animal was acquired, which suggests that the patient has ingested these materials. Clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal diseases in reptiles include regurgitation, constipation, weight loss, bloating, diarrhea and cloacal prolapse. The intake of foreign bodies and impaction caused by these can lead to the development of anorexia. Hematological and biochemical profi les are necessary to evaluate the general health of the animals. The monocytosis may be related to malnutrition, or a picture of chronic infl ammation. Elevated AST suggests an abnormal liver or muscle damage, possibly due to loss of muscle tissue associated with weight loss. The patient was treated with specifi c anthelmintic for Ozolaimus cirratus, as attempt to avoid the worsening of the clinical condition. The radiography and ultrasound examinations were consistent with the presence of a foreign body. The patient underwent an urgent gastrostomy to remove the content found, was opted for the non-removal of foreign bodies in the small intestine to avoid the risk of contamination. Metoclopramide is used to stimulate gastrointestinal motility of reptiles, and sucralfate for the prevention of oral ulcers, esophageal, gastric and duodenal ulcers. There are few reports of intestinal atony in green iguana caused by ingestion of foreign bodies, and the disclosure of these cases is important for further clarifi cation of the disease.