Prevalence of surgical affections with their clinical management in crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted in the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) for the occurrence of various surgical affections with their clinical management. During the period of January 2006 to June 2008, a total of 68 adult crocodiles were considered as reference population from the Reptiles Farm Ltd. at Bhaluka,Mymensingh. The occurrence of surgical affections of adult female (88.9%) was significantly (P⁄0.01)higher than male (11.1%). Prevalence of common surgical affections were wound: 72.2%, fibroma: 11.1%abscess: 5.6%, fracture: 5.6%, tail necrosis: 2.8%, myiasis: 2.8%. Wound was the highest among the affections. Among the identified wounds, biting wound was higher. In summer (57.7%) the occurrence of wound was higher compared to other seasons. In winter season (7.7%) the occurrence of abscess, myiasis,fibroma were higher compared to other seasons. Wounds and fibroma are the major surgical affections in salt water crocodile. The most common site of surgical affection was recorded in crocodile’s tail (30.6%). It was suggested that minimal stress, allowing constant and easy access to water, removal of roots of the tree in the basking land of crocodiles pen, basking land of the pen is better filling up by sand, clinical surgical managements are essential for better health and production.