Successful Management of Hemocoelom and Marked Anemia in a Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) Following Multiple Blood Transfusions and Surgery

Abstract

A 4 yr old, female bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented after a 2 day history of lethargy and inappetence. On physical examination, the patient was quiet, alert, and responsive, with pale mucous membranes and coelomic distention. Initial diagnostics revealed a severe anemia (packed cell volume [PCV], 3%) and hypoproteinemia (total solids [TS], 30 g/L [3 g/dl]). Full-body radiographs revealed decreased coelomic detail suggestive of coelomic effusion. Due to the life-threatening anemia, a whole blood transfusion (WBT) was performed using a bearded dragon (donor A). On day 2, coelomic ultrasound revealed a large volume of effusion and numerous follicles. Coelomic fluid cytology was consistent with acute hemorrhage and egg yolk coelomitis. On day 3, two allogeneic WBTs, each from a different donor animal (donors B and C), were administrated via an intraosseous catheter. The PCV and TS increased to 8% and 38 g/L (3.8 g/dl), respectively. On day 5 the PCV/TS decreased to 7% and 28 g/L (2.8 g/dl), respectively. Due to the suspicion of active hemorrhage, an exploratory coeliotomy was elected. An intraoperative WBT (from donor B) was administrated. The source of hemorrhage was found to originate from the left ovarian pedicle. A final WBT was administrated postoperatively (from donor A). On day 6, the PCV/TS had increased to 17% and 30 g/L (93 g/dl), respectively. Three weeks later, the patient was alert and responsive and the PCV/TS had risen to 30% and 52 g/L (5.2 g/dl), respectively. This is the first report describing the successful administration of five WBTs from several different donors over a short period of time in a bearded dragon with hemocoelom and marked anemia.