Although Cuttlefish are relatively easy to maintain as captive or laboratory reared cephalopods, trauma associated injuries will occasionally be encountered. Many of these lesions will result in bacterial infections that may lead to sepsis and death. The outer layer of skin of the cuttlefish and all cephalopods is comprised of a delicate single layer of columnar cell epithelium with a microvillar surface. Many of the lesions observed will be on the outer surface of the skin since, the epithelial architecture can be easily abraded. Examples of superficial abrasions and deep ulcerative skin lesions will be shown.

The cuttlebone can be fractured especially when the animal "jets" into the tank wall. The sequelae from trauma will depend on the severity of the fracture, if the skin is still intact, or if the coelomic membranes are severely damaged. At least two cuttlefish had their stomach, caecum and digestive appendages herniate through the cuttlebone resulting in strangulation of these organs. In our experience some of the cuttlebones can heal and remodel, but many of the animals fail to grow or gain weight from this lesion.

Ocular opacities have been associated with traumatic lesions. Corneal opacities have been observed and in some instances lenticular opacities also have occurred. Most of the opacities resulted from edema and swelling with minimal inflammation. One animal that had inflammatory lesions had a positive culture of Vibrio alginolyticus from swabs taken from the midgut gland and eye. Non-traumatic lesions of the eye have been observed, the etiology of these lesions are unknown.

The author's experience in the prognosis, disposition, and medical treatment strategies associated with traumatic lesions will also be presented.