The practical use of computed tomography in evaluation of shell lesions in six loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta)

Six adult loggerhead turtles were found stranded and were rescued near Sicily within a period of 12 months. Macroscopically apparent lesions of the shell were present. After thorough physical examination, ketamine-dexmedetomidine-atipamezole induction and tracheal tube insertion all six patients underwent computed tomographic examination under inhalant anaesthesia with isoflurane. A vertebral lesion at the level of the 3rd thoracic-lumbar vertebra with vertebral lamina and the vertebral body being involved without compression of the spinal cord, a vertebral lesion at the level of the 7th thoracic-lumbar vertebra and a vertebral lesion at the level of the 8th thoracic-lumbar vertebra were recorded in the first female. Loss of the shell near the left carapace-plastron bridge, with massive haemorrhage and compression of organs were present in the second female. The remaining four turtles had only superficial lesions with no involvement of bones and organs of the coelom. Computed tomography was proved to be a valuable non-invasive method for clinical examination of stranded sea turtles.