Anesthesia In Reptiles Research Articles

Obtaining Oviparous Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Serpentes, Colubridae), embryos at Early Developmental Stages by Caesarean Section

There is a specific feature in the developmental biology of oviparous snakes: embryos in the eggs, which were just laid, have already undergone significant development. This fact makes it significantly complicated to obtain data on organs’ development at early stages of embryogenesis. In addition, the fertilization time and the duration of snake pregnancy in the wild are unknown. In order to obtain the embryos of an oviparous grass snake Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) at successive developmental stages with minimal harm to gravid females we used caesarean section. The past known experience of performing caesarean section in snakes and anesthesia in reptiles were used. All the embryos were taken from the upper oviduct of a female simultaneously; in this way we eliminated the influence of medications on embryos’ development. The described method is valuable when it is necessary to obtain snake embryos and to preserve the life of the female and, possibly,its reproductive ability.

Clinical Anesthesia in Reptiles

The clinical use of anesthetic agents in reptiles presents a number of unique challenges because of the diversity of the class Reptilia with respect to natural history, size, anatomy, and physiology. Reptiles are commonly maintained as companion animals, widely displayed in zoological institutions, and many species serve as subjects in laboratory facilities. Therefore, to become a skillful clinician, developing an understanding of anesthetic efficacy across reptile species is important. The objective of this review is to provide a current perspective on the practical application of anesthetic agents in commonly maintained pet reptile species.

Sources of Variability in Recovery Time from Methohexital Sodium Anesthesia in Snakes

Variability in anesthetic effect is frequently observed in individuals within a species, yet few studies have investigated its causes in reptiles. To evaluate potential sources of variability in reptile anesthesia, we conducted experiments to test for effects of body temperature, body condition, gravidity, and time post-feeding on the recovery time of Red-sided Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) anesthetized with methohexital sodium (Brevital Sodium). The mean recovery time of snakes anesthetized at 21°C was 125 min, at 26°C it was 86 min, and at 31°C it was 64 min. There was a significant correlation between body condition and recovery time, with thinner snakes experiencing longer recovery times. Gravid snakes anesthetized within five weeks of parturition had a mean recovery time that was twice as long as nongravid snakes of a similar mass. Time post-feeding did not have a statistically significant effect on the recovery time in snakes that were anesthetized one, three, and ten days after consuming 30% of their body mass in food. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for producing more predictable results when using methohexital sodium in reptiles.

The use of vascular access ports in nonanesthetized green iguanas (iguana iguana) to collect baseline arterial blood gas parameters

The green iguana, Iguana iguana, is used as a model in reptile anesthesia research because of its size, availability, and the body of knowledge characterizing its physiology. Arterial blood gas values in nonanesthetized green iguanas have not been determined because of the technical difficulty involved. Vascular access port (VAP) placement to facilitate blood sampling has been described in other species, but not lacertilians. This abstract describes the technique for placement of VAPs and the values for arterial blood gas parameters in seven 1 kg adult green iguanas. Using sterile technique, a 1.5 cm incision was made on the lateral side of the neck. Blunt dissection ventral to the external jugular vein revealed the internal and external carotid arteries near their bifurcation. The catheter was inserted into the internal carotid artery and then guided to the common carotid artery. The other end of the catheter was tunneled below the skin to a subcutaneous location, caudal-dorsal to the iSPSilateral scapula. The skin was closed and the port was flushed twice a week with heparinized saline. Post-operatively, the VAPs were well tolerated by the iguanas. Difficulties included port disconnection (n = 1), inability to aspirate blood after a few weeks (n = 2), and infection (n = 1). The iguanas were breathing room air prior to and during blood collection. From the five functional VAPs, the blood pH, PCO2, PO2, HCO-3, and BE (measured at 37 °C) were 7.45 ± 0.06; 37.5 ± 7.0 mm Hg, 99.0 ±16.6 mm Hg, 25.4 ± 2.5 mmol L–1, and 1.5 ±2.4 mmol L–1 respectively (mean ± SD). VAPs can be successfully used to facilitate collection of arterial blood gas samples in green iguanas. These values are similar to those reported for most mammalian species. This technique should facilitate research in anesthesiology and respiratory physiology of iguanas and other lacertilians.

Wants more information on anesthesia in reptiles .... Thoughts on leptospirosis vaccines

Wants more information on anesthesia in reptiles .... Thoughts on leptospirosis vaccines

Anesthesia in reptiles. Part 1. Injection anesthesia

Anesthesia in reptiles. Part 1. Injection anesthesia

Anesthesia in reptiles. Part 2. Inhalation anesthesia

Anesthesia in reptiles. Part 2. Inhalation anesthesia

Reptile Anesthesia

Successful reptile anesthesia requires patience, planning, and understanding of normal anatomy and physiology in health and disease. Reptiles make good anesthetic patients because of their physiologic resilience. New drugs that are not only safe and efficacious, but also result in relatively short recovery times, have greatly enhanced the design of anesthetic regimens. Further studies are required to quantitatively evaluate the physiologic effects of drugs used and validate available monitoring modalities for use in a wide variety of reptiles.

Reptile anesthesia

Reptile anesthesia

Evaluation of Hypothermia for Anesthesia in Reptiles and Amphibians.

Evaluation of Hypothermia for Anesthesia in Reptiles and Amphibians.

Surgical Anesthesia in Reptiles, with Special Reference to the Water Snake, Natrix rhombifera

. 1955. The ingestive, digestive and respiratory systems of the microhylid tadpole, Hypopachus aguae. Copeia 1955:120-7. SEDRA, S. N. 1950. The metamorphosis of the jaws and their muscles in the toad, Bufo regux1 RTON, G. L. 1943. The tadpole of Rhinophrynus dorsalis. Occ. Pap. Mus. Zool. Univ. ichigan No. 472:1-7. PATERSON, N. F. 1945 The skull of Hym nochirus curtipes. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 115: laris Reuss, correlated with the animals' feeding habits. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 120:40549. SEDRA, S. N. AND M. 1. MICHAEL. 1957. The development of the skull, visceral arches, larynx and visceral muscles of the South African clawed toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin) during the process of metamorphisis (from stage 55 to stage 66). Verh. Nederlandse Akad. Wet., afd. Natuurkunde, second series 5:1-80. SOKOL, O. M. 1959. Studien an pipiden Froschen. I. Die Kaulquappe von Hymenochirus curtipes Noble. Zool. Anz. 162:154-60. YUHAS, P. J. 1961. Breeding of the African Water Frog. Tropical Fish Hobbyist 9:10-14.