Vets carry out complex surgery, keeping in mind that the reptile weighs 81 gm, shell cut to carry out cystotomy will take 2 months to heal
The African Spurred Tortoise and the stone that was removed from its bladder. Pics/Dr Rina Dev
Mumbai-based avian and wildlife veterinarian Dr Rina Dev and her team removed a five-gramme bladder stone from an African Spurred Tortoise in a complex surgical procedure lasting 90 minutes on September 25. Previously, they had extracted a 20-gramme stone from a star tortoise using a similar method.
As the tortoise was not eating anything and appeared dull, its owner decided to approach Dr Dev. After evaluating the reptile, the vet found that it had a huge bladder stone.
Dr Dev said, “An X-ray revealed a bladder stone measuring 1.2 inches in diameter. A complex surgery was carried out keeping in mind that the reptile weighed 81 grammes. This is the first surgery of its kind to be done in India on a tortoise this size. Tortoises are prone to bladder stone formation due to dietary influence and relatively less water intake.”
The stone was extracted after cutting the plastron or bottom part of the shell
According to Dr Dev, this is usually a problem in captive tortoises, but it has been diagnosed in wild tortoises on occasion. Apart from dehydration, a wrong diet, and lack of physical activity are other reasons for the formation of bladder stones in tortoises, according to the veterinarian.
“The stones tend to be smaller in wild tortoises. Some of these stones grow to tremendous sizes. Other animal species get bladder stones, but none of them are anywhere near as large as tortoise bladder stones. A cystotomy was performed via approaching the bladder by cutting the plastron [bottom part] of the shell,” added Dr Dev. It will take about two months for the shell to heal completely.
The African Spurred Tortoise or Centrochelys sulcata is listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. It is also one of the largest tortoise species in the world. The animal is smuggled across the world as it is in a very high demand as an exotic pet.
Legal aspect
Praising the team, Pawan Sharma, president of NGO RAWW, said, “Such cases highlight the importance of advanced medical diagnoses and treatment. At the same time, all exotic pet owners need to know that after the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was amended, all animals mentioned in the CITES [Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species] checklist are protected under Schedule IV of the Act. Therefore, to own such species, one needs proper paperwork and clearances from the chief wildlife warden and principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) of their respective state. Similarly, to transport such species between districts and states within the country, one needs written permission from the forest department.”
He added that exotic species can carry zoonotic diseases, which can lead to serious outbreaks, affecting both people and animals. “Therefore, it is vital to make sure all required norms are adhered to before having one as a pet or dealing in them.”
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