Renal oxalosis in free-ranging green turtles Chelonia mydas.
Eighteen green turtles Chelonia mydas recovered from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida and Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, were diagnosed with renal oxalosis by histopathological examination. Affected sea turtles included 14 adults and 4 immature animals, which comprised 26% (18/69) of green turtle necropsy cases available for review. Calcium oxalate deposition ranged from small to moderate amounts and was associated with granuloma formation and destruction of renal tubules. All affected turtles died from traumatic events or health problems unrelated to renal oxalosis; however, 1 immature turtle had notable associated renal injury. Crystal composition was confirmed by infrared and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The source of calcium oxalate is unknown and is presumed to be of dietary origin.
Stacy
Brian A
BA
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 100126, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. stacyb@vetmed.ufl.edu
Santoro
Mario
M
Morales
Juan Alberto
JA
Huzella
Louis M
LM
Kalasinsky
Victor F
VF
Foley
Allen
A
Mettee
Nancy
N
Jacobson
Elliott R
ER
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003364:Costa Rica; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*
D002129:Calcium Oxalate