Ultrasonographic appearance of the coelomic cavity in healthy green iguanas.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the coelomic cavity in healthy green iguanas.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
26 healthy green iguanas (20 males and 6 females).


METHODS
For coelomic ultrasonography, animals were physically restrained in dorsal recumbency by an assistant; chemical restraint was not used. Qualitative and quantitative observations were recorded.


RESULTS
Structures that could be visualized in all animals included the heart and cardiac chambers; liver; caudal vena cava; hepatic veins; portal vein; gallbladder; pyloric portion of the stomach; and, when distended, urinary bladder. Visualization of the kidneys was poor. The spleen could be identified in 17 animals, and the gonads could be identified in 22, but were most easily identified in males evaluated during November (ie, during the breeding season); no females were evaluated during the breeding season. Physiologic enlargement of the testes yielded an acoustic window for the spleen by displacing overlying intestine. Anechoic, free coelomic fluid was identified in 3 animals. Measurements of overall cardiac size, ventricular wall thickness, gallbladder size, thickness of the pyloric portion of the stomach, and splenic size were obtained. Only ventricular wall thickness was significantly correlated with body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that ultrasonography allowed examination of most coelomic structures in green iguanas. The procedure was easily performed and was well tolerated in conscious animals.
Holland
Mason F
MF
Department of Anatomy and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Hernandez-Divers
Stephen
S
Frank
Paul M
PM
D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007076:Iguanas / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging