Urát húgykövesség állatkerti sarkantyús teknősben (Geochelone sulcata)

Abstract

SUMMARY Urolithiasis is a well known phenomenon in several animal taxa, including production animals, as well as horses, dogs and cats. However, the pathophysiology of urolithiasis is much less well understood in exotic and zoo species. In reptiles, uroliths are found with increasing frequencies in green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and tortoises. Causative factors might include inappropriate husbandry and feeding practices. Due to this reasons most case reports are published about privately owned exotic animals. The authors present a case of a zoo-housed African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) in which a large sized (3 × 3 × 4 cm) urolith was found in the urinary bladder. The composition of the stone proved to be mostly ammonium urate. Though most cases of urolithiasis were reported in pet tortoises so far, this case call the attention, that urolithiasis could be a problem even in zoo-kept wild and exotic animals. As a preventative measure it is important to revise the husbandry (especially the ideal temperature and humidity levels) and feeding practices.