Abstract

A large captive crocodilian collection was evaluated because of abnormal tooth loss. This problem was most severe in Crocodylus species. It had been noticed in a few animals several years previously, and the number of affected animals was increasing. Bone and tooth biopsies were collected for histologic evaluation and mineral analysis. Plasma and whole blood samples were submitted for mineral analysis. Plasma samples were also analyzed for vitamin A, E and C levels. Significant findings included low plasma vitamin A (retinol <0.2 µg/ml) and E (alpha-tocopherol <1.0 µg/ml) as well as elevated blood, tooth and bone lead concentrations in many of the affected crocodilians. Histologic evaluation of the tooth biopsy samples from affected animals revealed dentine resorption, as well as gingival hyperkeratosis. The affected animals were fed skinned nutria without abdominal contents. Nutrient analysis of samples from three randomly selected nutria revealed low vitamin A and E content, and elevated lead content in one animal. The affected animals were treated with an injectable combination of a vitamin A and E preparation (Vital E+A, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Union, NJ, USA; retinyl palmitate 200,000 IU/ml, D-alpha-tocopherol 300 IU/ml, 3–6 ml IM once per month) for 3 months, and the plasma vitamin concentrations rechecked. Additionally, the diet was changed to a 50:50 mixture of a commercial carnivore diet (Dallas Crown, Inc., West Fair, Kaufman, TX, USA) and alligator pellets (Burris Mill & Feed, Inc., Franklinton, LA, USA) combined into a sausage.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the general curator, John Brueggen, and reptile curator, David Kledzik, at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm for their assistance in this clinical study.