SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF A DIGESTIVE TRACT HERNIA IN A FREE RANGING WILD MARSH FROG (PELOPHYLAX RIDIBUNDUS)

Abstract

A wild-caught mature female marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) was presented for a left-sided dorsal swelling. No other abnormalities were detected during the examination. Fine needle aspiration was non-diagnostic. Baseline hematological and biochemical analyses were within normal range and medical imaging did not provide further useful information. Surgical exploration under general anaesthesia was performed. The swelling was confirmed to be a digestive tract hernia protruding through a breach of the dorsal muscles and coelomic membrane. Reduction was made difficult by the presence of multiple adhesions between the herniated tissue and the coelomic membrane, suggesting a relatively chronic lesion. A traumatic cause was hypothesised. One month later, the animal was healthy and was released back in the wild. Hernias in amphibians are poorly reported in literature, and are only ventral. To the best of authors’ knowledge, a dorsal hernia has never been described in a captive or a free ranging amphibian before.