Endoscope-Guided Marble Foreign Body Removal Technique in an Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
A 1-yr-old intact female inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented approximately 24 h after observed ingestion of a marble. Orthogonal whole-body radiographs with and without contrast revealed a spherical radiopaque foreign body within the gastric lumen and no passage of contrast material beyond the foreign body, suggestive of pyloric outflow obstruction. The complete blood count showed mild basophilia, and plasma biochemical analysis revealed a moderately elevated creatine kinase. The bearded dragon was placed under general anesthesia, and a rigid endoscope was used to visualize the foreign body at the level of the pylorus. The marble foreign body was suctioned and removed orally using a red rubber catheter and a Luer-lock syringe. The patient recovered uneventfully from the procedure and was sent home with sucralfate and omeprazole after 2 days of hospitalization. This report provides a novel, nonsurgical method for removing smooth spherical foreign bodies from the proximal gastrointestinal tract of bearded dragons. The technique may apply to various small-to-medium–sized reptiles or amphibians that present with spherical foreign bodies.Abstract
Dorsoventral (A) and right lateral (B) radiographic views of a 1-yr-old female intact inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) that was presented for observed ingestion of a marble. Radiographs were performed without contrast. The ingested marble was observed within the gastric lumen; a second external marble was included for reference.
Dorsoventral (A) and right lateral (B) radiographic views of the same bearded dragon described in Figure 1 at 30 min after administration of 3.7 ml of radiopaque contrast medium. Note that the contrast material is filling the esophagus and stomach, but fails to enter the intestines.
Instrumentation used in the retrieval of the marble, demonstrating successful attachment using suction. Material used in this assemblage included a 20-ml Luer-lock syringe with a cut 12 French red rubber catheter. The cut end of the red rubber catheter was fitted onto the Luer-lock mechanism. The wide end of the red rubber catheter was put in direct contact with the marble and stabilized, while negative pressure was applied by drawing back on the syringe plunger.
Endoscopic images showing initial appearance of marble foreign body within gastric lumen (A), marble stabilization with external digital pressure and alignment with red rubber catheter in preparation for retrieval attempt (B), and retrieval of the marble foreign body by using the assembled instrument (C).
Suction-captured marble with attached gastric mucus, ingesta, and contrast material immediately after being removed from the stomach through the oral cavity.
