Radiographic anatomy and barium sulfate transit time of the gastrointestinal tract of the leopard tortoise (Testudo pardalis)

Sharon K. Taylor, Scott B. Citino, Jacqueline M. Zdziarski, R. Mitchell Bush

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Six adult (three female and three male) leopard tortoises (Testudo pardalis) were studied to document the radiographic anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and the transit time of barium sulfate. Tortoises were chemically immobilized with succinylcholine and dosed orally with barium contrast suspension. Both dorsoventral and lateral radiographs were taken. The lateral radiographs were extremely difficult to interpret because of the overlapping of the gastrointestinal tract and other soft tissue organs. Complete gastric emptying occurred between 5 and 9 hr after barium administration. Barium entered the small intestine at 0.2-1 hr and the large intestine between 5 and 8 hr. The contrast material began to exit the colon between 144 and 166 hr.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)180-186
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Volume27
Issue number2
StatePublished - Jun 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anatomy
  • Barium contrast study
  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Leopard tortoise
  • Testudo pardalis
  • Transit time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • General Veterinary

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