Histopathological Perspectives of Multiple Organs in a Red- Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) with Suspected Metabolic Bone Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Exotic pet lovers' interest in keeping tortoises is increasing all over the world, including Indonesia. However, this trend cannot be separated from the potential emergence of various health problems in tortoises. One of the problems that often affects tortoises is metabolic bone disease. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a disorder related to the mechanisms of vitamin D and calcium metabolism, which generally occurs in reptiles, especially Chelonia and Lizards. Case Presentation: A 3-month-old redfooted tortoise, which was clinically suspected to have a MBD, was necropsied as an effort to support the provisional diagnosis through histopathological evaluation. The purpose of this examination was to analyze the impact of the disease on various organs microscopically in patients with suspected MBD. The results showed a decrease in the number of trabeculae and hematopoietic cells in the metatarsal bones; moderate myonecrotic changes and atrophy in the skeletal muscle; inflammation of the perineuron; acute tubular necrosis and mild edema of the renal cortex; congestion and an increase in the number of melanomacrophages in the liver; as well as epicarditis and myocarditis in the heart. Conclusion: Several forms of the histopathological changes seem to indicate a pathophysiological relationship between the suspected metabolic bone disease and the multiple organs examined.