Necropsy photos of fractured ribs (graphic)

[FFSTRescue]

This is one of the Senegals that failed to acclimate. For educational purposes, I am posting photos of healed/healing fractures on the ribs. You can see areas along the different ribs where ossification has occurred.
This is very heartbreaking to see what these poor creatures have been through. Because they are sold for such a cheap price, they are handled so roughly. I purchased 12 Senegals for breeding purposes, and despite all my efforts, 5 have died already, and of all those that have died, 4 of 5 had rib fractures, and one with rib fractures died from what appeared to be cholecystitis, where the gallbladder actually ruptured... extremely painful.

 

[morpheon]

Poor little creatures! Thank you Kristen for the images though!

Hopefully the rest of your 12 Senegals will turn out Ok!!

 

[Bloody Holly]

Maybe it's because I'm a biology student, but I enjoy looking at pictures like these. I'm glad you posted them...So let me get this straight, these injuries were caused by rough handling?

 

[FFSTRescue]

...So let me get this straight, these injuries were caused by rough handling?

Among other things... they are wild-caught, so who knows what physical trauma they have endured during importation/exportation.

 

[Jonasburns]

Maybe it's because I'm a biology student, but I enjoy looking at pictures like these. I'm glad you posted them...So let me get this straight, these injuries were caused by rough handling?

That's how i read that. Its sad that they would be handled so carelessly.

 

[luevelvet]

It's a shame to think about, especially for those of us interested in putting a serious effort into this species. It's a tough rope to walk, wild caught animals are necessary to further research yet we're presented with such atrocious treatment.

Thank you for sharing.

Luis

 

[FFSTRescue]

For those of you that don't know know about the wildlife trade involving reptiles, this article briefly touches on what happens during shipping. I copied and pasted a portion of the article below.

http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ddusitwr.htm

What happens during shipment

According to Human Society International Asia, the number of pet reptiles hit nine million in 2000, which is an increase of more than one million in two years. Each year the United States imports nearly two million live reptiles and exports about nine million. This poorly regulated trade harms wild populations and their habitats. Poor capture techniques, compounded by poor shipping methods or inadequate care, kill many reptiles before they reach the pet store. An estimated 90% of wild-caught reptiles die in their first year of captivity because of physical trauma prior to purchase or because their owners cannot meet their complex dietary and habitat needs. See http://www.hsiasia.org.

Reptiles are among the most inhumanely treated animals in the pet trade. Because they are cheap and easily replaceable, dealers, captive breeders, and retailers factor huge mortality into their operating costs.


Wildlife inspectors in the U.S. and abroad are the sources of horror stories of what happens to turtles and other reptiles being shipped into and out of the U.S. For instance, in March 1991, a shipment was stopped at the Schiphol airport. It contained 511 pancake tortoises and 307 leopard tortoises from the United Republic of Tanzania, en route to the United States. The tortoises, of different ages and sizes, were packed on top of each other in six crates weighing an average of 450 kilograms (about 1000 lbs.) each. Fifty of the tortoises were dead upon arrival. Most of the survivors were near death from starvation, serious dehydration, or cracked shells. Some gravid or egg-bearing females on the bottom of the boxes bled to death. Egg shells had pierced their internal organs when the eggs were crushed by the weight of the tortoises above. Other tortoises were found with their pelvic bones sticking up through their carapaces. Research supports the common consensus that during the height of the American baby turtle craze (from the 1950’s to the mid 1970’s), 99% of all American hatchling turtles sold throughout the world died within two years. Current research supports this mortality rate to hold true today. See http://gctts.org/HSreport.html (summarizing a report published by the Humane Society of the U.S. and the Humane Society International in November 1994).

The majority of reptiles destined for the pet-trade are wild-caught, using nooses, nets and dogs. The death rate during capture and transportation to pre-export holding sites is rarely recorded but, injuries include paralysis, claws wrenched from toes by sacking material, bites and scratches. Many are dehydrated, starving, emaciated and diseased. The survivors are put into poorly regulated cargo holds for shipping that frequently lasts up to 80 hours. CITES found that the average mortality rates during shipping of reptiles was 3.8 per cent. A similar number usually die soon after arrival.

Under the guise of hypocrisy, many reptile shows still permit wild caught specimens to be sold. Claiming that shows which permit only captive bred animals do indeed allow wild caught specimens to be traded there, the reptile and exotic animal show series in its FAQ section clearly announces that wild caught specimens are permitted. See http://www.reptileandexoticanimalshow.com. A recent news article reporting on exotic shows contained a quotation from North Carolina dealer Jonathan McMillan, who brought 300 of his 1,000-reptile inventory to a certain exposition. He said that losing 10 to 15 percent of a shipment is just part of the business. "You can lose up to 50 or 60 ball pythons a day," says McMillan. "It's going to happen. Nothing you can do about it."

The usual effect on the pet owner is that a pet is lost. Unfortunately, with the cost of veterinary treatment so disproportional to the purchase price of a new pet, most owners would rather let their animal perish and simply replace it. Moreover, the physiology of reptiles and general makes it more difficult for a keeper to even recognize there is a problem with their pet until it may be too late.

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s “1992 Companion Animal” survey shows that only 6.85% of turtle owners seek vet care for their turtles. Of those that do, many vets report that most turtle health problems stem from ignorance – the turtles are fed the wrong diet, kept in the wrong habitat, or given no basking platform or place to hide. See http://gctts.org/HSreport.html.

 

[FFSTRescue]

It's a shame to think about, especially for those of us interested in putting a serious effort into this species. It's a tough rope to walk, wild caught animals are necessary to further research yet we're presented with such atrocious treatment.

Thank you for sharing.

Luis

Well said, Luis

 

[Lovereps]

Thanks for the pictures

I'm always interested in learning more cham biology.
Do chams typically have black intestines?
I ask because someone posted necropsy pics a while back. They thought the intestines had become necrotic, because they were black but I've seen other pictures of chams with black intestines and no mention of necrosis.
That poor cham with the ruptured gallbladder.
Makes me very sad to know how poorly "low value" creatures are treated.
Many years ago, I had a couple of Senegals, so I suppose they're nearer to my heart than most.

 

[morpheon]

At least we have people like you Kristen to take care of them!

 

[Syn]

Thank you for posting the pictures, and sorry for your loss.

Hopefully these images will be beneficial now and in the future.

 

[tompbgod]

very sad sorry for your losses

 

[Bloody Holly]

I'm always interested in learning more cham biology.
Do chams typically have black intestines?
I ask because someone posted necropsy pics a while back. They thought the intestines had become necrotic, because they were black but I've seen other pictures of chams with black intestines and no mention of necrosis.

Yes, they do. A Chat With Dr. Gary W. Ferguson

 

[dreamforthedead]

Man i've got tears running down my cheeks, after looking at those pics. Poor little thing. :c:c

 

[FFSTRescue]

Yes, they do. A Chat With Dr. Gary W. Ferguson

Thanks for the article, I hadn't read that before... good info!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Man i've got tears running down my cheeks, after looking at those pics. Poor little thing. :c:c

I'm sorry , I didn't mean to make you sad, or anyone else that read this, though I guess it is impossible because it IS very sad , I just want people to see the actual physiologic effects of the horrendous conditions some of these wc imports suffer. Of course they don't all suffer so horribly, it is usually the ones that aren't worth much on the market. I feel guilty because I bought them, and therefore contributed to more being treated like that, but I am hoping to breed them to at least put a dent in the problem by offering healthy, CB chams.
On a positive note, I have 5 hatchling Senegals that are doing really well and are hitting the 2 month mark!

 

[Lovereps]

Without new bloodlines, while they're available, there couldn't be healthy captive bred chams.
You shouldn't feel guilty.
I heartily applaud you and all the others who have ventured into breeding chams.
Sorry for your losses, but very glad to hear about your 5 hatchlings!
Holly, thanks for the link!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Thanks . It is difficult because we need the WC's to begin breeding, and we couldn't even entertain the thought of breeding without them, I just wish the "cheaper" chams were cared for as well as the more expensive chameleons, such as the Panthers that come in. The Panthers don't have the extensive scarring, fractures, etc, that the poor Senegals, Gracefuls, and Flapnecks have.