HEMIPENECTOMY IN LEOPARD GECKOS, CHAMELEONS AND BEARDED DRAGONS

Abstract

The purpose of the present study aims to describe 16 clinical cases of pet lizards with hemipenile prolapse – 11 leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius), 3 chameleons (2 Chamaeleo calyptratus and 1 Furcifer pardalis), and 2 bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). After an unsuccessful attempt of manual repositioning of the everted hemipenes, unilateral or bilateral surgical amputation was performed to avoid future complications. All patients were anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine hydrochloride and ketamine hydrochloride. In the bearded dragons, a local block with lidocaine hydrochloride was additionally used. The authors' clinical experience with this surgical procedure confirmed the view that the hemipenectomy is an appropriate attempt in hemipenile prolapse in pet lizards from the Eublepharidae, Chamaeleonidae, and Agamidae families.