Ultrasonographic features of the heart and lungs of captive reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus, Schneider 1801) (Reptilia: Squamata: Pythonidae) with granulomatous pneumonia and myocarditis

Issue Date

2016

Abstract

Twelve adult reticulated pythons diagnosed with granulomatous pneumonia and myocarditis were utilized to examine the ultrasound features of the heart and lungs using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 6.5 MHz linear array scanner. B-mode and M-mode ultrasonograms were obtained and digital analysis was conducted to calculate the echo mean values. Echocardiographic features and echo mean values were determined and compared to data on apparently healthy reticulated pythons. Higher B-mode measurements of the left atrial internal diameter and circumference of pulmonary trunk, left aortic and right aortic arches were obtained. Higher M-mode values for amplitude measurements for left atrium, right atrium, sinus venosus, pulmonary trunk, left aortic artery, right aortic artery, cavum venosum and cavum arteriosum; and base measurements for all cardiac structures were also observed. Increased echo mean values indicated higher echogenicities of all the cardiac structures. Increased echocardiographic measurements were higher indicating pathologic changes. Echocardiography was found useful in detecting cardiac pathologic changes which can be associated with granulomatous pneumonia and myocarditis. Because of reverberations observed in all lung ultrasonograms, the study determined that ultrasonography cannot be used in detecting small lung lesions in cases of mild to moderate pneumonia.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

0031-7705

Volume

53

Issue

2

Page

88-95

Document Type

Article

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

Subject

Echocardiography, Heart, Lungs, Pneumonia, Reticulated pythons, Ultrasound

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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