Diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens in a red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria)

Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens was associated with diarrhea in a 4 -yr-old female captive-bred red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). Di agnosis was based on bacterial culture, detection of C. perfringens enterot oxin in feces, and exclusion of commonly recognized pathogens. After treatm ent with metronidazole, normal feces were passed and C. perfringens enterot oxin was no longer detected in the feces. Although the role of C. perfringe ns cannot be determined definitively from this case, this pathogen should b e considered in cases of diarrhea in tortoises and, perhaps, other reptiles .