Echocardiographic evaluation of four giant Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Issue 1 (8th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campolo, Marco; Oricco, Stefano; Cavicchio, Paolo; Piga, Sara; Ulivi, Valentina; Poggi, Marco; Zanatta, Renato; Iannaccone, Maddalena
• Is Part Of: Veterinary record open. Volume 6:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-09-08
• Subjects: Aldabra giant tortoise -- Aldabrachelys gigantea -- chelonian -- echocardiography -- zoo animals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2018-000274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-6113

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: In recent years echocardiography has become a good diagnostic tool in Zoo Medicine but in some cases, it is still a challenge. In Aldabra giant tortoise ( Aldabrachelys gigantea ) the big size of animals and the few individuals hosted in Zoo are critical points for the application of this diagnostic technique. The purposes of this research were: to evaluate the feasibility of the diagnostic imaging technique on big‐sized turtles; to define the echographic parameters for this species; and to describe the morphofunctional and physiological echographic characteristics of their cardiovascular system. Design: Repeated measures in vivo. Setting: Ultrasonography systematic description and Doppler analysis of the cardiovascular system of Aldabra giant tortoise were carried out; B‐mode examination allowed the evaluation of the kinetics of the ventricle, the atria and the atrioventricular valves. Participants: 4 Aldabra giant tortoises (two adult males and two young females) hosted in two zoological gardens. Interventions: Echocardiography was performed placing the animals in ventral on a restraining platform raised from the floor, to provide adequate accessibility to the thoracic windows where the probe was placed. No chemical restraint was used. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Heart rate, systolic and diastolic areas and volumes, vessel diameters and blood flow velocity were measured. Results: Heart rate was 21±4 bpm (range 14–25 bpm). The averages of the diastolic and systolic area indexes linked to the subject weight were: 21±3 cm 2 and 9±1 cm 2 . The aortic annulus diameter in female specimens measured 11.2±0.8 mm, while it measured 21.5±0.3 mm in male species. Conclusion: Results confirm the effectiveness of echocardiography as a means to study and evaluate the cardiovascular system of this species even if more studies on a bigger number of patients would be necessary to develop the echocardiography technique.