Name
Medical Management and Reduction of a Shoulder Luxation in a Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata)
Speakers
Description
An approximately 15-year-old, 23kg male sulcata tortoise presented for a 3-week history of left forelimb lameness following a traumatic injury where the limb was trapped in wrought iron garden furniture. The tortoise was started on a course of meloxicam via intramuscular injection in the first week following the event, with minimal response. On examination, the left forelimb was cranially displaced and unable to completely retract compared to the right forelimb. On CT imaging, the left humeral head was confirmed to be cranioventromedially displaced from the left glenoid cavity. A wheel was positioned under the left forelimb and secured to the plastron for ambulatory support. After discussion with the owner, the tortoise was scheduled for attempted reduction of the luxation and splinting 2 weeks later. The tortoise was anesthetized, and manual reduction was performed on the shoulder, with confirmation of the reduction on a CT scan. With the aid of a 3D-printed shell model, a splint was fashioned using lightweight bandage material (Vet-Lite) to immobilize the limb. The splint was epoxied to the shell, and left in place for 7 weeks. After 7 weeks, a repeat CT scan confirmed that the shoulder was in place, and the splint was removed. The tortoise began to use the limb normally within 1 week, and has shown no further signs of luxation 1 year later. This case highlights the successful use of non-surgical management of a shoulder luxation 5 weeks following the original injury in a sulcata tortoise.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)