Unique Pathologic Findings in the Heart of a Red-Eared Turtle (Trachemys Scripta Elegans)

Abstract

The necropsy of a turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans), which was euthanized after rapid loss of vitality, revealed multiple unique abnormalities in the heart. We found areas of atrophy in the wall of the ventricle. These may be connected with aneurysmata at the same locations. A prominent hypertrophic, disc-like cartilago cordis was present. It may have disturbed the flow of blood leading to local atrophies. Gradually, the excessive size may have impeded the flow of blood by compression of large blood vessels at the heart base resulting in ischemia and acute cell death in the myocardium on one side of the ventricle. In one of the larger blood vessels there was an ulcus covered with a thrombus. Thrombi were found on various places and filled the larger part of the ventricular chamber. It can be assumed that these abnormalities were linked and fatal in the end.