@article{scott_waffa_devoe_harms_lewbart_2021, title={Successful and unsuccessful nonsurgical removal of ingested golf balls and an artificial egg in four rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis)}, volume={258}, ISSN={["1943-569X"]}, DOI={10.2460/javma.258.10.1135}, abstractNote={Abstract    

CASE DESCRIPTION
4 wild adult rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) were evaluated after ingesting spherical or ovoid foreign bodies.


CLINICAL FINDINGS
Physical examination revealed a large, firm mass at the level of the stomach in each snake. Radiographic findings were consistent with ingestion of a golf ball (3 snakes) or an artificial egg (1 snake). Signs consistent with prolonged impaction included scale loss, dermal abrasions, and apparent loss of body condition in one snake and regional skin ulceration, dehydration, and generalized muscle atrophy in another.


TREATMENT AND OUTCOME
Nonsurgical removal of the foreign body was attempted in anesthetized or heavily sedated snakes by external manipulation in the orad direction. A golf ball was removed through the oral cavity without complications in 1 snake. In the other 3 snakes, tension caused by the advancing foreign body resulted in full-thickness skin rupture in the cervical region. The procedure was completed with the use of a balloon catheter to aid foreign body advancement for 1 of the 3 snakes, and the skin defect was closed. The procedure was converted to esophagotomy for the other 2 snakes. Three snakes recovered and were released; 1 died of complications from prolonged impaction and esophageal perforation.


CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The described nonsurgical techniques for removal of ingested round or ovoid foreign bodies were associated with substantial complications in 3 of 4 treated rat snakes. Although a nonsurgical method for removal of ingested objects such as golf balls could benefit snakes, the methods used for these patients did not appear to be more beneficial than traditional gastrotomy.
}, number={10}, journal={JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION}, author={Scott, Gregory and Waffa, Bradley J. and DeVoe, Ryan S. and Harms, Craig A. and Lewbart, Gregory A.}, year={2021}, month={May}, pages={1135–1141} }
 @article{waffa_montgerard_grafinger_christian_dombrowski_lewbart_2012, title={DORSAL LAMINECTOMY IN A TWO-TOED AMPHIUMA (AMPHIUMA MEANS)}, volume={43}, ISSN={["1042-7260"]}, DOI={10.1638/2011-0247r2.1}, abstractNote={An adult male two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means) was evaluated for kyphosis and a self-inflicted ulcerative dermal lesion at the site of a midbody spinal deformity. Radiology revealed a proliferative bony lesion at the 39th vertebra. A dorsal laminectomy was performed to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord believed to be secondary to bone remodeling. Resolution of the scoliosis occurred at the surgical site, and the ulcerative lesion of the body wall healed. Three weeks postoperatively, the amphiuma resumed self-mutilation caudal to the surgery site. Euthanasia was elected. Necropsy revealed focal osteonecrosis and vertebral fractures at the laminectomy site with regionally extensive fibrosis, fibrin deposition, and focal spinal cord compression. Resolution of clinical signs suggests that surgical decompression of the spine was clinically successful short term, but the patient deteriorated for reasons possibly related, although not directly attributable, to the surgery.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Waffa, Bradley J. and Montgerard, A. Christine and Grafinger, Mike S. and Christian, Larry S. and Dombrowski, Daniel S. and Lewbart, Gregory A.}, year={2012}, month={Dec}, pages={927–930} }