Fun anatomy reptile radiograph game?

SFgeckos

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One of those rare days I got to "relax" and check out some interesting radiographs at a nearby unnamed zoological hospital.

Can anyone guess what animals they are? and what is abnormal in the radiographs?

Photo 1: (hint) member of the Iguanid family, ten letters
Photo 2: (hint) only two species in this lizard family
Photo 3: (hint) smallest member of the canine family

Bonus question: (In photo 1) After surgery on this lizard, why is the incision site NEVER midline ventrally?

Jon
 
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SFgeckos

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Not quite =) If it was that easy, I wouldn't have posted the photos! Remember these animals are from a zoo collection- I've never seen a chihuahua on exhibit? =)

Jon
 

Enigmatic_Reptiles

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The first picture is a Sauromalus, the second one is a Helodermatidae...either a Gila Monster or a Beaded Lizard, last is a Vulpes Zerda.

How close am I? haha
 

JordanAng420

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Well, here's what i'm sure of so far...in the third picture the animal has fractured it's femur, and it was repaired with pins and screws....possibly even a plate, but i'd need to see a lateral view to be sure.

Maybe once I wake up a little bit, i'll take a closer look at these...:main_laugh:

Jon...FUN GAME! Thanks!
 

SFgeckos

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You are correct on the injury. It was a recheck radiograph and if you look closely, you can see the fracture above the 3rd screw (mouse hand is pointing to it). Basically, the fracture never healed but the Fennec fox is active and has normal mobility.

Travis, you win =) The second photo is a gila monster.

Can anyone answer the bonus question? I highly recommend everyone to ask their animal healthcare provider the same question (especially if they claim to see exotics or have exotic medicine experience), because if they can't answer this simple anatomical question: BEWARE!

Jon
 

JordanAng420

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Can anyone answer the bonus question? I highly recommend everyone to ask their animal healthcare provider the same question (especially if they claim to see exotics or have exotic medicine experience), because if they can't answer this simple anatomical question: BEWARE!

Jon

Didn't see the bonus this morning...too early, lol. I'm pretty sure I can answer it... it's been quite a little while since i've worked with reptiles and surgery... the answer to why a midline ventral incision should never be made, is because of the ventral abominal vein.

My best guess is that in the first picture, the animal is impacted with stool... it's not white, which would indicate an impaction of sand or some other foreign object which is too dense for an xray beam to pass through...it's grey, which means not as dense.

I'm not too sure what's abnormal in the second pic...i'm looking at a few things, but nothings really popping out....I need to study this a little more...

Thanks for making me think... I never get to work with these guys anymore...I live for stuff like this! :main_thumbsup:
 
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JordanAng420

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Something going on in number 2's chest? The little spots all over are the normal texture of the skin, but something else looks off...

Maybe i'm overthinking this. :main_laugh:
 

SFgeckos

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Correct! The ventral abdominal vein runs superficially along the ventral aspect of almost all lizards and amphibians.

Photo 2 is actually a normal gila during an annual examination, photo 1 shows distorted/conjoined eggs that had to be surgically removed, and photo 3 we already discussed.

If forum members enjoy seeing more radiographs, let me know and I'll periodically add new/interesting ones if I have access to them. I'm always interested in learning new things!

Jon
 

JordanAng420

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I knew I was overthinking it! Perfectly normal x-ray for a gila monster.

Jon...I thank you so much...you picked my brain this week, and made me think.

I would love to see more! I love to be challenged! I was looking at these radiographs all day at with a recently graduated veterinarian...we ate it up! It was great!

If you have any more...bring it on! I have a few interesting cat/dog x-rays I could post...seeing as how this forum isn't bringing much action, we might as well make it a "basic anatomy" forum... :p
 

SFgeckos

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I have plenty of interesting radiographs on many different animal species over the years. Please share some of yours as well!

On a side note, here's the chuckwalla in the radiographs healing well! Notice the incision site toward the lateral aspect of the abdomen near the holder's thumb.

I posted this tortoise one before, but still one of my favorites!

How many eggs do you see and what else is abnormal? (experienced forum members don't answer yet. This is for younger forum members- get involved!)

Jon
 
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JordanAng420

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Here's one from today... (those of you who know, QUIET).
7 year old spayed female dachsund, presented to my clinic with blood in her urine. What's abnormal, and why is there blood in her urine?

xray.jpg
 

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