Freshwater turtle admissions to a wildlife hospital in South-East Queensland, Australia over an eleven-year period, 2010-2021.

INTRODUCTION: Freshwater turtles in South-East Queensland face a multitude of anthropogenic threats that threaten their survival. Research exploring the morbidity and mortality of animals presented to wildlife hospitals has been used globally to assess the health of species populations, investigate anthropogenic interference and provide valuable information to veterinary professionals about ailments common to a particular species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 1739 chelonian patients admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Currumbin, Queensland, Australia between March 2010 and March 2021 were analysed to obtain data on species, diagnoses, outcome and temporal trends. RESULTS: Six species of freshwater turtles were observed, with the Brisbane River turtle (Emydura macquarii signata) being the most common. While there was no significant trend in the number of cases over the study period, there was a decline in the number of Saw-shell turtles (Myuchelys latisternum) admitted each year. Admissions peaked in autumn and summer, likely coinciding with nesting and hatchling emergence. Trauma was the most common diagnosis, accounting for 83% of cases, and saw a decreasing incidence during the study period. In contrast, there was an increasing number of turtles presenting with disease within the same period. Overall, 67.4% of turtles were able to be released after a period of treatment, while 32.6% were euthanised or died due to their condition. Turtles presenting for trauma had the most favourable prognosis, and disease held the poorest prognosis. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results confirmed that there are significant anthropogenic threats to freshwater turtle populations in South-East Queensland.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in a brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata).

BACKGROUND: Neoplasia is considered to be rare in macropods. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) also known as undifferentiated or giant cell carcinoma, is a rare but aggressive and lethal solid tumour reported to affect humans, dogs, cats, racoons and birds. It is derived from poorly differentiated follicular cells and lacks the characteristic architectural pattern of arrangement of tumour cells. ATC has not previously been reported in macropods. CASE REPORT: A brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) was presented for a mass on the ventral neck. A clinical diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma was suspected based on radiology, ultrasound and cytology. Other than palliative care, treatment was declined. Four months later the wallaby was found dead and submitted for necropsy. Gross examination and histopathology demonstrated a unilateral ATC with vascular neoplastic emboli and distant metastases to the heart, lungs and liver. CONCLUSION: The clinical signs associated with thyroid tumours may be the result of localised growth and expansion of the thyroid, metastatic disease or a combination of these effects. Most thyroid tumours are nonfunctional. Based on the lack of typical clinical signs associated with functional thyroid tumours, in this case, we conclude that the thyroid tumour in this wallaby was likely to be nonfunctional. The cause of death in this wallaby was likely due to the heavy tumour burden with compromised cardiorespiratory function exacerbated by dorsoventral compression of the larynx. More study is needed to better understand thyroid neoplasia in macropods.

Treatment of a mycobacterial infection in an Eastern Long-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis).

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterial infections are uncommonly diagnosed in reptiles. These infections are often systemic, chronic, and well advanced before presentation and diagnosis. Turtles, both marine and freshwater, appear to have a higher prevalence of the disease than other reptiles, perhaps because of their aquatic environment. CASE REPORT: An Eastern Long-neck turtle (Chelodina longicollis) was diagnosed with an apparently localised mycobacterial infection in the right foot. Biopsy, culture and PCR were used to make the diagnosis. Treatment with clarithromycin and rifampicin given orally for 9 months appeared to successfully resolve the infection. CONCLUSION: Antemortem diagnosis is difficult although molecular diagnostic techniques are improving the rates of diagnosis. Treatment of mycobacteria is lengthy, difficult and challenging to the patient, the owner and the veterinarian. For this reason, and because of the potential for zoonotic infection, it is infrequently undertaken.

Cutaneous botryomycosis in a free-living short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

Botryomycosis is a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and viscera caused by nonbranching bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp. It results in the formation of chronic, suppurative and often granulomatous lesions that may resemble multiple abscesses. It has been diagnosed worldwide in both humans and animals. It is a rare disease, usually requiring surgical excision combined with long-term antibiotics to achieve a good resolution. A wild echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) was presented with a soft tissue mass at the base of the right distal beak with multiple discharging fistulas arising from it. The mandible appeared to be shortened and deviated to the right, and the animal was unable to close its beak. The echidna was in poor body condition and was euthanased on welfare grounds. Histopathology of the lesions demonstrated the classical botryoid lesions with the characteristic Splendore-Hoeppli reaction surrounding the bacterial colonies, in a background of extensive granulation tissue. Radiographs revealed mild mandibular osteomyelitis, yet haematology and biochemistry results were nonspecific. This disease has not previously been reported in a wild monotreme.

Penile amputation and pre-scrotal urethrostomy in a male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

Male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), especially older animals, are prone to urethritis and posthitis. Severe, chronic balanoposthitis/posthitis can result in fibrosis, localised infection and the deposition of mineralised plaques in the prepuce. Severe cases may require surgical intervention, such as penile amputation and urethrostomy, to achieve resolution.