MIAMI – Two South Florida veterinarians will perform surgery on a tortoise on Tuesday, to remove a turtle-shaped pendant from its stomach.
The 15-pound male spur-thigh tortoise named Lola was brought by its owner to Dr. Don Harris of South Dade Avian & Exotic Animal Medical Center late last month after the owner said the turtle hadn't pooped for a month and began feeling sick.
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The small pendant had caused a blockage in the animal's digestive tract.
Lola's owner told Harris the pendant didn't look familiar, but Harris told the Associated Press that tortoises sometimes swallow rocks and other objects while grazing.
Harris and Dr. Doug Mader of Marathon Veterinary Hospital, will now remove Lola's shell in a "trap-door" technique so they can access his intestinal track and remove the pendant.
"With most animals in a similar predicament, I would have performed surgery immediately. Because of its shell, however, surgery on a tortoise is much more complicated," said Harris. "At this point going in appears to be Lola's only chance for survival."
Harris previously told the AP that he hoped Lola would pass the pendant on his own, but would have to perform surgery if he did not.
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