title: Endoscopically guided removal of cloacal calculi in three African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata).
abstract: METHODS
  3 female African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata) of various body weights (0.22, 0.77, and 2.86 kg [0.48, 1.69, and 6.29 lb]) were examined because of reduced food intake and lack of fecal output. Owners reported intermittent tenesmus in 2 of the tortoises.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical examinations revealed no clinically important abnormalities in the tortoises. Cloacal calculi were diagnosed on the basis of radiography and cloacoscopy in all 3 tortoises. One tortoise had another calculus in the urinary bladder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tortoises were anesthetized, and cloacal calculi were removed by use of a cutting burr (plain-fissure cutting burr and a soft tissue protector mounted to a dental handpiece that had a low-speed motor and a straight nose cone) and warm water irrigation with endoscopic guidance. Complete removal of calculus fragments was achieved by use of forceps and irrigation. In 1 tortoise, removal of the cloacal calculus was staged (2 separate procedures). In another tortoise, a second cloacal calculus (which had been located in the urinary bladder during the first examination) was successfully removed 25 days after removal of the first calculus. All 3 tortoises recovered uneventfully, and serious complications secondary to removal of the cloacal calculi were not detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cloacoscopy combined with the use of a low-speed dental drill and warm water irrigation should be considered a simple, safe, and nontraumatic treatment option for removal of obstructive cloacal calculi in tortoises.
authors.affiliation: Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital, 39-75 Chik Sun St, Tai Wai, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China. cmans@gmx.net
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mans
authors.forename: Kurt K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Sladky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002137:Calculi / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002988:Cloaca / Q000473:pathology*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D014426:Turtles