Urate Cystolith Removal via Transplastron Coeliotomy and Cystotomy in an African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata)

A 1-year-old male African Spurred Tortoise (Geochelone sulcata) was presented to our veterinary centre with complaints of constipation, oliguria and inappetence because of urate calculi that lodged in the cloaca and bladder. Manual removal was performed to remove the cloacalith, whereas transplastron coeliotomy and cystotomy were performed to remove the cystolith. The diagnosis was based on lateral and dorsoventral radiographic imaging. On the day of the surgery, oesophageal tube placement was established through oesophagostomy to assist feeding. The transplastron coeliotomy and cystotomy surgical procedure was carried out successfully without any complications. The tortoise recovered well post surgically, eating, urinating and defaecating within the next 6 days. In this paper, we describe the anaesthetic protocols, surgical procedures, and postoperative medical management and discuss the aetiological factors and urolith removal approaches.