Technique for the collection of clear urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

Authors

  • Jan G Myburgh University of Pretoria
  • Fritz W Huchzermeyer University of Pretoria
  • John T Soley University of Pretoria
  • Dirk G Booyse University of Pretoria
  • Herman B Groenewald University of Pretoria
  • Lizette C Bekker University of Pretoria
  • Taisen Iguchi National Institutes of Natural Sciences
  • Louis J Guillette, Jr University of Pretoria

Abstract

Urine samples can be a very useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of animal health. In this article, a simple technique to collect urine from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was described, based on a similar unpublished technique developed for the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) using a canine urinary catheter. With this technique, it was possible to collect relatively clean urine samples from Nile crocodiles of different sizes using canine urinary catheters or small diameter stomach tubes. Based on the gross anatomical features of the cloaca of the Nile crocodile, it was confirmed that urine accumulates in a chamber consisting of the urodeum and coprodeum. Faecal material is stored temporarily in the very short rectum, which is separated from the urinary chamber by the rectocoprodeal sphincter.

Author Biographies

  • Jan G Myburgh, University of Pretoria

    Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Fritz W Huchzermeyer, University of Pretoria

    Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • John T Soley, University of Pretoria

    Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Dirk G Booyse, University of Pretoria

    Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Herman B Groenewald, University of Pretoria

    Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Lizette C Bekker, University of Pretoria

    Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Taisen Iguchi, National Institutes of Natural Sciences

    Department of BioEnvironmental Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Japan

  • Louis J Guillette, Jr, University of Pretoria

    Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa and Department of Zoology, University of Florida, United States of America

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Published

2021-12-02

Issue

Section

Original Research