References
Diagnosis and surgical management of idiopathic bile duct cysts in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
Abstract
The case presented shows the clinical signs, diagnosis and surgical management of idiopathic bile duct cysts in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). A 12-year-old female bearded dragon presented with constipation resulting from the consumption of sand. A soft mass about 4 cm wide could be palpated in the mid-coelom after the substrate passed. The animal started eating, but soon started showing signs of kyphosis. Ultrasound, radiography and computed tomography examinations revealed that the mass was a cyst 4 cm in diameter. Diagnostic laparotomy was performed and the large cyst and affected liver tissue were removed with a partial hepatectomy. Cytology of the cyst was unremarkable, but histopathological examination showed the lesions to be bile duct cysts. No sign of malignancy or inflammation could be seen.
A 12-year-old female bearded dragon that weighed 390 g presented at the clinic with anorexia, straining and lack of defaecation. The animal was housed on sand and had provision of both heat and UVB via lamps. The patient was alert during examination but showed discomfort during coelomic palpation. A hard 6–7 cm long, 2–3 cm wide mass could be palpated on the left side of the coelom. Dorsoventral whole body radiographic imaging showed large amounts of mineral opacity material in the intestines on the left side of the animal (Figure 1).
The diagnosis was consumption of substrate (sand) because of a low-calcium diet, with consequential gastrointestinal impaction. The animal was hospitalised and with bathing, enemas and vibration therapy (gentle vibrations transmitted via a vibrating surface), the large amount of sand was passed. Afterwards, a 4 cm wide soft mass could still be palpated in the mid-coelom. Ultrasound examination was recommended to the owner, but was declined at this stage. The animal started eating after 2 weeks and was active, but soon started to show signs of kyphosis (Figure 2).
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