Obstrução intestinal associada à ingestão de corpos estranhos em tartaruga-de-espora-africana (Centrochelys sulcata) / Intestinal obstruction associated with ingestion of foreign bodies in African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)

ABSTRACT

The ingestion of foreign bodies by captive reptiles is related to the maintenance of these animals in unsuitable places. This report refers to the description of ingestion cases of weird foreign bodies by one African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata), from keepers in Ceará, Brazil. The animal is housed freely with other animals, when it came to so sudden death without previous clinical care. Macroscopic changes were Hydropericardium ascites with reddish exudate hemorrhagic, gastroenteritis metallic object and ulcers in the stomach, food compression and undigested plastic bag in the small intestine. The presence of the metallic object produces the lining of the stomach laceration and bleeding. Exacerbating the situation by compaction of food and plastic bag. We conclude that the ingestion of foreign bodies especially metal objects can trigger fatal consequences to the turtles and the care with environment management and nutrition are important points in prevention.