Name
Dystocia Secondary to Ectopic Pregnancy in a Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus)
Teresa Bousquet
Description
This is the first reported case of successful surgical management of dystocia secondary to ectopic pregnancy in a Kenyan sand boa. A seven-year-old intact female Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus) presented with a history of passage of seven infertile ova three days prior, as well as unusual behavior. On physical examination, coelomic palpation revealed fluid distention and multiple firm structures in the mid-to-caudal coelom. Radiographs revealed homogeneous fluid/soft tissue distention of the coelomic cavity, with multifocal ill-defined heterogenous mineral opacities in the central and caudal thirds of the body, interpreted as fetuses. The following day, exploratory surgery revealed coelomic effusion and necrotic ectopic fetuses. Extensive flushing and debridement were performed, followed by ovariosalpingectomy. Post-surgical radiographs revealed further fetuses remaining in the caudal third of the coelomic cavity. A revision procedure was performed, and the remaining fetuses were successfully removed. One year after initial presentation, the snake remains healthy with no further health concerns. Dystocia and ectopic pregnancy are rarely reported in viviparous snakes. Dystocia secondary to ectopic pregnancy should be considered as a differential in viviparous reptiles presented with health and reproductive concerns.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)