Whole body edema and mineralized fat necrosis in an aquatic caecilian, Typhlonectes sp.

J M. Sykes, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Danielle Reel, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
George A. Henry, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Michael M. Fry, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
S H. Smith, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Abstract

A 13 year old male aquatic caecilian, Typhlonectes sp., presented with whole body swelling and a radiodense coelomic mass was identified radiographically. The mass was found to be free-floating during surgical exploration, was removed, and histologically determined to be mineralized fat necrosis. The animal did not recover from anesthesia and necropsy findings included excessive free coelomic fluid, a severely dilated venous structure, and a dermatopathy of unknown etiology. The animal's death was attributed to complications of anesthesia and circulatory compromise. Though no specific etiology was found, the whole body oedema was attributed to disruption of normal osmoregulation due to the dermatopathy. Mineralized fat necrosis should be considered in cases of radiodense coelomic masses in caecilians.