Radiographic study of the anatomy and preliminary barium Gastrointestinal transit in the grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck 1827).

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study describes the radioanatomy of the thoracic and abdominal viscera and to provide preliminary observations on a dynamic follow-up of barium transit through the gastrointestinal tract of the grasscutter using contrast radiography. METHODS: This study included three adult grasscutters, one male and two females, weighing an average of 3.10 ± 0.11 kg. All animals were imaged using an Italian digital camera and administered general anesthesia with xylazine and ketamine. Barium was put into the stomach; subsequently, X-rays were obtained from the front and side at set times. RESULTS: Normal radiographs showed that the grasscutter has a relatively small thorax with a proportionally large heart and a clearly visible trachea. The abdomen features a large cecum displacing the intestines, with the stomach and liver partially visible, while the kidneys were not seen. Dynamic barium follow-through revealed an increase in stomach size. The stomach and proximal small intestine emptied, with the first part of the small intestine filling with liquid after 30 min. After 1 h, both regions showed high radiographic density. Contrast reached the duodenum and jejunum at 2 and 3 h, respectively, and remained visible intermittently up to 18 h, indicating that grasscutters digest food more slowly than other species. CONCLUSION: Grasscutters have slow gastrointestinal transit, with a transit time of over 24 h. These data can be used to diagnose intestinal obstruction in future studies on this species.