VOLVULUS OF THE PROXIMAL COLON IN A HAWKSBILL TURTLE (ERETMOCHELYS IMBRICATA)

An adult 68-kg male Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) with cli nical signs of lethargy and anorexia was presented to the Veterinary M edical Teaching Hospital, University of Florida, for evaluation and tr eatment of a possible intestinal obstruction. Whole-body radiographs r evealed an obstruction of the distal colon and gas-distended loops of the small intestine and colon proximal to the obstruction site. The tu rtle died on the day of presentation during evaluation. At necropsy, a il parietal and visceral coelomic surfaces were covered with a thick l ayer of fibrinous exudate. The coelomic cavity contained approximately 2 L of red fluid. The distal colon contained multiple foreign bodies, including a rubber band and multiple pieces of thin wire that were in corporated in 40 cm of firm fecal material coated with mucus and fibri n. A 360 degrees volvulus incorporating approximately 60 cm of colon j ust proximal to the chronic obstruction was present. Anaerobic culture of coelom yielded heavy growth of Clostridium sp. The death of this t urtle was associated with clostridial toxemia secondary to devitalizat ion of the section of colon involved in the volvulus.