Saccular lung cannulation in a ball python (Python regius) to treat a tracheal obstruction.
An adult male ball python (Python regius) presented in a state of severe dyspnea characterized by open-mouth breathing and vertical positioning of the head and neck. The animal had copious discharge in the tracheal lumen acting as an obstruction. A tube was placed through the body wall into the caudal saccular aspect of the lung to allow the animal to breathe while treatment was initiated. The ball python's dyspnea immediately improved. Diagnostics confirmed a bacterial respiratory infection with predominantly Providencia rettgeri. The saccular lung (air sac) tube was removed after 13 days. Pulmonary endoscopy before closure showed minimal damage with a small amount of hemorrhage in the surrounding muscle tissue. Respiratory disease is a common occurrence in captive snakes and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Saccular lung cannulation is a relatively simple procedure that can alleviate tracheal narrowing or obstruction, similar to air sac cannulation in birds.
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 100101, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0101, USA. dmyersvet@yahoo.com
Debbie A
DA
Myers
James F X
JF
Wellehan
Ramiro
R
Isaza
D000818:Animals; D017821:Boidae; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011532:Providencia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome