Neurologic examination of sea turtles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether neurologic examination techniques established for use on dogs and cats could be adapted for use on sea turtles.


METHODS
Prospective controlled observational study.


METHODS
4 healthy Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), 1 healthy Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi), and 6 Green Turtles suspected to have neurologic abnormalities.


METHODS
Neurologic examinations were performed while sea turtles were in and out of the water and in ventral and dorsal recumbency. Mentation, general activity, head and body posture, movement and coordination, thoracic and pelvic limb movement, strength and muscle tone, and tail movement were observed. Thoracic and pelvic limb flexor reflexes and nociception, righting response, cranial nerve reflexes, clasp and cloacal reflexes, and neck, dorsal scute, cloacal and tail nociception were tested.


RESULTS
Results of neurologic evaluations were consistent for healthy sea turtles. Sea turtles suspected to have neurologic abnormalities had abnormal results.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the neurologic examination techniques used to evaluate dogs and cats can be adapted and used to evaluate sea turtles. A standardized neurologic examination should result in an accurate assessment of neurologic function in impaired sea turtles and should help in evaluating effects of rehabilitation efforts and suitability for return to their natural environment.
Chrisman
C L
CL
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0125, USA.
Walsh
M
M
Meeks
J C
JC
Zurawka
H
H
LaRock
R
R
Herbst
L
L
Schumacher
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013623:Tail / Q000502:physiology; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology