Flap surgery in a green iguana (Iguana iguana) with a non-healing palmar wound – a case presentation

• Main Authors: Rudolf Kocsis, Francisc P. Nagy, Romeo T. Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romanian National Association of the Veterinary Products Manufacturers 2014-12-01
• Series: Medicamentul Veterinar
• Subjects: Iguana iguana; non healing wound; skin; “twisted flap” technique
• Online Access: http://www.veterinarypharmacon.com/docs/1482-2014_VD_8(2)_ART.10_EN.pdf
• ISSN: 1843-9527; 2069-2463

In this clinical tutorial report for young vets, there is presented the clinical efficiency of a common surgery technique in a non-healing decubitus inflammatory crusted and pyogenic wound to a nine years male green iguana (Iguana iguana). The wound appeared two months before the reptile was presented to control and the bacteriologic culture made revealed a massive bacterial association where Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus epidermidis were dominant. Consequently, the antibiogram was accomplished, the results indicating resistance to penicillin and chloramphenicol and respectively, efficacy to gentamicin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The initial treatment with gentamicin 5%, as topical application was started, but though the massive tissue destruction, the surgical way was chosen. Under anaesthesia, the area was scratched and the wound was debrided with scalpel until the bleeding occurred and skin was primarily closed with a surgical skin stapler, but this technique proven to be totally unsuited to green iguana, because of the skin’s tension developed consequently the intervention. Following, the “twisted flap” surgical technique was accomplished, we considering this way as a choice one in iguana’s case, and skin was sutured with no absorbable 2/0 nylon. After the local and general antibiotic treatment with enrofloxacin, animal was fully recovered, the suture points being removed after five weeks.