Laser therapy in a soft-shelled turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis ) for the treatment of skin and shell ulceration

Summary

Skin and shell diseases in aquatic turtles are often associated with several underlying causes. The presented case report describes aetiology including differential diagnoses, diagnostic procedures and therapy of a soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) suffering from a septicaemic ulcerative dermatitis. Central aspect hereby is the positive curing effect of laser therapy on skin and shell lesions.

Zusammenfassung

Hautund Panzererkrankungen können bei Wasserschildkröten eine Vielzahl von Ursachen haben. In diesem Fallbericht werden Ursachen, Differenzialdiagnosen, die diagnostische Aufarbeitung und die Therapie von septikämischen, ulzerativen Haut-und Panzernekrosen bei einer Weichschildkröte (Pelodiscus sinensis) dargestellt. Im Mittelpunkt steht hierbei der wundheilungsfördernde Effekt der Lasertherapie auf Haut-und Panzerwunden.

Key words

Reptile - turtle - skin and shell necrosis - laser therapy - softlaser - efficacy

Schlüsselwörter

Reptil - Schildkröte - Haut-und Panzernekrosen - Lasertherapie - Effektivität

^* Both authors have equally contributed to this work

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