Pituitary cystadenoma, enterolipidosis, and cutaneous mycosis in an Everglades ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni)

An 11-yr-old captive-born male Everglades ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rosalleni) presented with dysecdysis, hyperkeratosis, and inappetance. Two skin biopsies demonstrated a diffuse hyperkeratosis with both a bacterial and fungal epidermitis. Fusarium oxysporum was cultured from both biopsies and cons...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of zoo and wildlife medicine Vol. 41; no. 3; p. 538
Main Authors Dadone, Liza I, Klaphake, Eric, Garner, Michael M, Schwahn, Denise, Sigler, Lynne, Trupkiewicz, John G, Myers, Gwen, Barrie, Michael T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.2010
Subjects
Animals
Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use
Cystadenoma - pathology
Cystadenoma - veterinary
Dermatomycoses - drug therapy
Dermatomycoses - microbiology
Dermatomycoses - veterinary
Intestinal Diseases - pathology
Intestinal Diseases - veterinary
Itraconazole - therapeutic use
Lipidoses - pathology
Lipidoses - veterinary
Male
Pituitary Neoplasms - pathology
Pituitary Neoplasms - veterinary
Snakes
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:An 11-yr-old captive-born male Everglades ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rosalleni) presented with dysecdysis, hyperkeratosis, and inappetance. Two skin biopsies demonstrated a diffuse hyperkeratosis with both a bacterial and fungal epidermitis. Fusarium oxysporum was cultured from both biopsies and considered an opportunistic infection rather than a primary pathogen. Medical management was unsuccessful, and the snake was euthanized. Histologic findings included a pituitary cystadenoma arising from the pars intermedia, severe intestinal lipidosis, generalized epidermal hyperkeratosis, and lesions consistent with sepsis. It is hypothesized that endocrine derangements from the pituitary tumor may have caused the skin and intestinal lesions.
ISSN:1042-7260
1937-2825
DOI:10.1638/2009-0124.1