Parasitism and anatomo-histopathological lesions associated to infection by Labiduris irineuta in a terrestrial yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) (Linnaeus, 1766), San Martín, Peru: Case report

Abstract

The case of a terrestrial South American yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata) with clinical signs of decay and inappetence in a recreation center and tourist accommodation located at the entrance of the Cordillera Escalera, San Martín, Perú is reported. The animal had bilateral blepharitis and greenish ocular secretions, as well as mild respiratory sounds and marked dyspnoea on physical examination. The animal was treated in a veterinary clinic with enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg SC every 24 h and carprofen 2 mg/kg SC every 24 h, however, the animal died five days after treatment. The postmortem examination showed 75 parasitic specimens of roundworms in the small intestine compatible with nematodes. Severe pneumonia was found as well as small nodules in the intestinal mucosa. The liver was increased in size, rounded edges were evident, areas of yellowish colour focused on all lobes and macroscopic lesions of bronchopneumonia, bloody fluid in the coastal areas and hepatization of the ventral caudal lobe and hepatic steatosis were described. The histopathological lesion occurred with severe parasitic bronchopneumonia, peri bronchial lymphocytic exudate, mild interfibrillar lymphocytic infiltration of cardiac muscle and severe hepatic lipidosis.