Dataset Information

The Effect of Enrichment on Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) Housed in Two Different Maintenance Systems (Rack System vs. Terrarium).

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to test the usefulness of environmental enrichment for Eublepharis macularius depending on the maintenance method (terrarium vs. rack system). The hypothesis was that reptiles kept in an extremely low-stimulus environment (rack system) would be more prone to interact with environmental enrichment items than those kept in a biotope terrarium. During the study, 21 female geckos were kept in two types of captive enclosures: 9 in terrariums, and 12 in rack system boxes in groups of 3 animals per enclosure. During the enrichment sessions, geckos were observed for 45 min while enrichment items (dry and wet hides, a new feeding method, a new object) were present in the enclosure. All geckos showed interest in enrichment items that enabled hiding and climbing. Animals kept in the rack system showed significantly lower latency in approaching enrichment items and a higher frequency of enrichment interactions than lizards in biotope terrariums. However, no significant differences were found in the total time spent interacting with enrichment items between geckos in the two settings.

SUBMITTER: Zielinski D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10044651 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Effect of Enrichment on Leopard Geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) Housed in Two Different Maintenance Systems (Rack System vs. Terrarium).

Zieliński Damian D

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 20230321 6

The aim of this study was to test the usefulness of environmental enrichment for <i>Eublepharis macularius</i> depending on the maintenance method (terrarium vs. rack system). The hypothesis was that reptiles kept in an extremely low-stimulus environment (rack system) would be more prone to interact with environmental enrichment items than those kept in a biotope terrarium. During the study, 21 female geckos were kept in two types of captive enclosures: 9 in terrariums, and 12 in rack system box ...[more]

PMID: 36978651

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Project description:Simple Summary Three adult female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) belonging to three different owners were referred to for coelomic distention, anorexia, and weight loss. X-rays showed the presence of a macrosomic egg set in the third caudal of the coelomic cavity, and the diagnosis of dystocia was made in all three geckos. A cloacal endoscopic examination was performed on all three animals. A voluminous egg protruding through the urogenital papilla to the cloaca was visible. All the eggs were removed easily using endoscopic forceps. In two geckos, the eggshell was torn, and the content was aspirated to reduce the egg volume. After the procedure, a subcutaneous deslorelin implant was implanted. All geckos recovered rapidly after surgery. Two of the three geckos were healthy at the follow-up visit (respectively one and two years after the surgery) and did not show any signs of dystocia. Only in the third gecko, the dystocia recurred again 6 months later, and bilateral ovariosalpingectomy was performed. After surgery, the gecko recovered rapidly, resumed eating, and was discharged after one week of hospitalization in good condition. Abstract Dystocia is a multifactorial, life-threatening condition commonly affecting pet reptiles. Treatment for dystocia can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment usually involves the administration of oxytocin, but in some species or, in some cases, this treatment does not work as expected. Surgical treatments such as ovariectomy or ovariosalpingectomy are resolutive, but invasive in small-sized reptiles. In this paper, we describe three cases of post ovulatory egg retention in three leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) successfully treated through a cloacoscopic removal of the retained eggs, after a non resolutive medical treatment. The intervention was fast, non-invasive, and no procedure-related adverse effects were noted. The problem relapsed six months later in one animal, and a successful bilateral ovariosalpingectomy was performed. Cloacoscopy should be considered a valuable, non-invasive tool for egg removal in dystocic leopard geckos when the egg is accessible to manipulation. Recrudescence or complications such as adhesions, oviductal rupture, or the presence of ectopic eggs should recommend surgical intervention.

Dataset Information

The Effect of Enrichment on Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) Housed in Two Different Maintenance Systems (Rack System vs. Terrarium).

Publications

The Effect of Enrichment on Leopard Geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) Housed in Two Different Maintenance Systems (Rack System vs. Terrarium).

Similar Datasets

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