Download SEPTIC ENDOCARDITIS IN A CARPET PYTHON (Morelia spilota)

SEPTIC ENDOCARDITIS IN A CARPET PYTHON (Morelia spilota)
Kathryn E. Seeley, DVM ,1* Leigh A. Clayton, DVM, Dipl ABVP,1 Catherine A. Hadfield,
MA, Vet MB, MRCVS,1 Steve Rosenthal, DVM, Dipl ACVIM (Cardiology),2 and Lisa M.
Mangus, DVM 3
1
National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD; 2Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates,
Annapolis, MD; 3Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
ABSTRACT
A 13-yr-old female carpet python (Morelia spilota) presented for weight loss (23% of body
weight in 1 yr), despite normal appetite. Previous history included transient mandibular edema 8
mo prior to presentation and vertebral osteopathy on survey radiographs in 2008. Physical exam
revealed thin body condition consistent with cachexia, tachycardia (90 beats per minute (bpm),
normal for individual 44 bpm), intermittent head tremoring, and poor muscle tone. Palpation
detected a soft fluctuant mass effect at the level of the heart. CBC and chemistry results were
within normal limits compared to in-house and published values for species1, 3 and aerobic
culture was negative. Imaging consisted of radiographs, ultrasound, computed tomography and
echocardiography which characterized a mass associated with the atrial wall, dilated cardiac
vasculature and evidence of atrial dysfunction. Previously noted vertebral changes were stable.
The snake was unresponsive to medical management and was euthanatized 5 mo after
presentation. On necropsy the heart was enlarged and an extensive thrombus occupied all
chambers of the heart, associated cardiac vasculature was dilated. Aerobic culture of the
thrombus yielded Salmonella houtenae.
Histology revealed chronic valvular and atrial
pancarditis with intra-atrial thrombosis and pleural fibrosis of the lungs. The only presenting
sign in this case was weight loss. Histologic lung changes were noted, although the relationship
of these changes to the cardiac disease is unclear. Additionally the Salmonella cultured is not
one that is commonly associated with endocarditis in reptiles.2
LITERATURE CITED
1.
Centini, R. and E. Klaphake. 2002. Hematologic values and cytology in a population of
captive jungle carpet pythons, Morelia spilota cheynei. Proc. Anni. Conf. Assoc. Rept.
Amph. Vet. 107-111.
2. Mitchell, M.A. 2006. Salmonella: diagnostic methods for reptiles. In: Mader, D.R. (ed.).
Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed. Elsevier Publishing, St. Louis, Missouri. Pp. 900905.
3. Teare, J.A. 2010. Physiological data reference value project. International species
Information System (ISIS), Apple Valley, MN.
2012 Proceedings Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
121