Abstract
Identify a technique to induce brief sedation and hypnosis in Podocnemis expansa. Twenty commercially bred P. expansa, weighing on average 1.2 +/- 0.24 kg, were subjected to two protocols: G1 was given 1.5 mg/kg IM of xylazine and 5 mg/kg IV of propofol, while G2 received 1.5 mg/kg IM of xylazine and 10 mg/kg IV of propofol. The drugs were applied, respectively, in the left thoracic member and in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic members, pelvic members and tail, easy handling and heartbeat, as well as ambient temperature and glycemic level. A consistent hypnotic effect was recorded 49.6 +/- 22.1 seconds in G2 and after 58.2 +/- 55.1 in G1. All the animals of G2 recovered in 198 minutes, and those of G1 in 156 minutes. The hypnosis achieved with these associations was satisfactory, and G1 was as efficient as G2, allowing for the pharmacological restraint for the collection of biological samples, physical examinations and minor surgeries on these species.
Highlights
Podocnemis expansa, popularly known as the giant Amazonian turtle or Amazon river turtle and, in its own region, called arau or jurará-açu, is distributed in the Amazon River basin, which encompasses equatorial forest and cerrado ecosystems in the northern and mid-western regions of Brazil[9]
Pharmacological restraint of turtles for routine physical examination and diagnostic or therapeutic procedures is often required in zoological institutions or wildlife and exotic animal practices[3] and on breeding farms
Premedication techniques are employed to sedate patients to facilitate handling, contribute to the analgesia, and reduce the dosage of anesthetic agents[6]; the use of tranquilizers on reptiles should be limited as premedication for general anesthesia[10]
Summary
Podocnemis expansa, popularly known as the giant Amazonian turtle or Amazon river turtle and, in its own region, called arau or jurará-açu, is distributed in the Amazon River basin, which encompasses equatorial forest and cerrado ecosystems in the northern and mid-western regions of Brazil[9]. CITESa and IUCNb today classify this animal as being under threat of extinction. Pharmacological restraint of turtles for routine physical examination and diagnostic or therapeutic procedures is often required in zoological institutions or wildlife and exotic animal practices[3] and on breeding farms. Premedication techniques are employed to sedate patients to facilitate handling, contribute to the analgesia, and reduce the dosage of anesthetic agents[6]; the use of tranquilizers on reptiles should be limited as premedication for general anesthesia[10]. Propofol is the injectable induction agent of choice in reptiles with available vascular access[14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
