A Case Report of Osteopenia in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

Rahimzadeh, Rasoul; Eftekhar, Erfan; Azimi, Kimia

doi:10.30500/ivsa.2025.544675.1463

A Case Report of Osteopenia in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Rasoul Rahimzadeh ¹

Erfan Eftekhar ²

Kimia Azimi ²

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences, Sa.C., lslamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

² DVM Student, Sa.C., lslamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

10.30500/ivsa.2025.544675.1463

Abstract

A 13‑year‑old female Gopherus agassizii was presented with prolonged brumation and progressive anorexia. Radiographic examination revealed a thin‑walled mineralized left coelomic structure consistent with a retained egg, segmental gas distension with granular radiopaque material suggesting gastrointestinal obstruction, a multilayered mineral opacity within the mid‑coelom compatible with a cystic calculus, and generalized decreased bone density with a pathologic fracture of the proximal right fibula confirming osteopenia. The diagnosis was multifactorial osteopenia secondary to chronic calcium and vitamin D deficiency, compounded by reproductive and gastrointestinal pathology. Treatment comprised husbandry correction (optimized UVB lighting and photoperiod), dietary calcium and vitamin D supplementation, analgesia, supportive fluid and nutritional care, and targeted management of the obstructive and reproductive lesions. This case highlights the diagnostic value of plain radiography in chelonians with vague systemic signs and illustrates how inadequate husbandry can precipitate reproductive, gastrointestinal, and urinary complications that exacerbate skeletal demineralization. Preventive measures (evidence‑based UVB provisioning, balanced dietary calcium/phosphorus, and routine imaging of at‑risk animals) are essential to reduce metabolic bone disease morbidity in Gopherus agassizii.

Keywords

Cystic calculus

Desert tortoise

Gastrointestinal obstruction

Osteopenia

Retained egg

Subjects