Echocardiographic and Hepatic Ultrasound Features of Captive Red-eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1839) (Reptilia: Testudines: Emydidae)

Issue Date

1-2015

Abstract

Echocardiography and hepatic ultrasonography were conducted on 24 (7 males and 17 females) adult apparently healthy captive-maintained red-eared slider turtles, with average weight of 1.52 kg, in order to determine the ultrasound features of the heart and liver. The examination was done using an ultrasound machine equipped with an 8.5 MHz linear array scanner and a 5.5 MHz micro-convex scanner. The heart and the liver were examined through the cervicobrachial acoustic window. Ultrasound appearance, measurements and echo mean values of the different cardiac and hepatic structures were obtained. The left atrium, right atrium and ventricle were visualized, the lumen appearing as anechoic and the walls seen as hyperechoic structures. The liver appeared as a homogenous hypoechoic structure with hepatic vein having an anechoic lumen and hyperechoic walls. No significant differences in the measurements and echo mean values between male and female slider turtles were observed. The results of this study can be used as a basis for ascertaining the condition of the heart and liver of red-eared slider turtles for possible diagnosis of diseases.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

0031-7705

Volume

52

Issue

2

Page

83-88

Document Type

Article

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

Subject

Echo mean, Echocardiography, Heart, Liver, Red-eared slider turtle, Ultrasound

Digital Copy

yes

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