References

Aguilar G, Mitchell MA Reptile dermatology. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2023; 26:(2)409-424 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2022.12.005

Ayers H Anaesthesia in exotics part 1: small mammals. The Veterinary Nurse. 2024; 15:(2)63-70 https://doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2024.15.2.63

Azevedo A, Guimarães L, Ferraz J Pet reptiles—are we meeting their needs?. Animals. 2021; 11:(10) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102964

Baines FM, Chattell J, Dale J How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research. 2016; 4:(1)42-63 https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v4i1.150

Bertelsen MF, Mosley C, Crawshaw GJ Inhalation anesthesia in Dumeril's monitor (Varanus dumerili) with isoflurane, sevoflurane, and nitrous oxide: effects of inspired gases on induction and recovery. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2005; 36:(1)62-68 https://doi.org/10.1638/04-033

Burggren W, Filogonio R, Wang T Cardiovascular shunting in vertebrates: a practical integration of competing hypotheses. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2020; 95:(2)449-471 https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12572

Carli G, Farabollini F Cardiovascular correlates of human emotional vasovagal syncope differ from those of animal freezing and tonic immobility. Physiol Behav. 2021; 238 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113463

Doss GA, Fink DM, Sladky KK, Mans C Comparison of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine-midazolam versus alfaxalone-midazolam sedation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2017; 44:(5)1175-1183 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2017.03.007

Doss GA, Mans C, Sladky KK Analgesia, anesthesia, and monitoring.: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2021

Ferreira TH, Mans C Sedation and anesthesia of lizards. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2022; 25:(1)73-95 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2021.08.002

Hedley J Anaesthesia in exotics Part 1: Reptiles. Veterinary Nursing Journal. 2010; 25:24-27 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2045-0648.2010.tb00116.x

Holz PH Anatomy and physiology of the reptile renal system. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2020; 23:(1)103-14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2019.08.005

Holz P, Burger J, Pasloske K Effect of injection site on carbenicillin pharmacokinetics in the carpet python, morelia spilota1. J Herp Med Surg. 2002; 12:12-16 https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651.12.4.12

Ito M, Levitskiy AA, Di Girolamo N Temporoorbital pulse rate can be obtained in ball pythons (Python regius) of any size and age and agrees with heart rate. Vet Rec. 2024; 195:(8) https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.4596

Kane D, Stapleton H, Griffiths T, Michaels C Effects of different heat and light sources on the behaviour of captive reptiles. The Herpetological Bulletin. 2023; 1-9 https://doi.org/10.33256/hb166.19

Kane LP, Chinnadurai SK, Vivirito K Comparison of isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane as inhalant anesthetics in prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020; 257:(9)945-949 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.257.9.945

Kristensen L, Malte CL, Malte H Obesity prolongs induction times in reptiles. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 2022; 271 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111255

Lai OR, Marín P, Laricchiuta P Pharmacokinetics of injectable marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2020; 43:(2)129-134 https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.12803

Mans C, Sladky K General anaesthesia.2019

Marchionatti E, Constant C, Steiner A Preoperative skin asepsis protocols using chlorhexidine versus povidone-iodine in veterinary surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet Surg. 2022; 51:(5)744-752 https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13810

Fluid therapy for exotic pets: s it important to consider what we use? (Proceedings). 2009. https://www.dvm360.com/view/fluid-therapy-exotic-pets-it-important-consider-what-we-use-proceedings (accessed 5 November 2024)

Morrison KE, Strahl-Heldreth D, Clark-Price SC Isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane use in cane toads (Rhinella marina). Veterinary Record Open. 2016; 3:(1) https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreco-2016-000185

Platt S Neurology.2019

Rakus K, Ronsmans M, Vanderplasschen A Behavioral fever in ectothermic vertebrates. Dev Comp Immunol. 2017; 66:84-91 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2016.06.027

Ross AA, Rodrigues Hoffmann A, Neufeld JD The skin microbiome of vertebrates. Microbiome. 2019; 7:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-019-0694-6

Schilliger L, Vergneau-Grosset C, Desmarchelier MR Clinical reptile behavior. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2021; 24:(1)175-195 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2020.09.008

Shippy S, Allgood H, Messenger K Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intramuscular alfaxalone in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): effect of injection site. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2023; 50:(3)280-288 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaa.2023.02.010

Sladky K Treatment of pain in reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2023; 26:(1)43-64 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2022.07.004

Sladky K, Mans C Analgesia.2019

Sykes J, Greenacre C Techniques for drug delivery in reptiles and amphibians. journal of exotic pet medicine. J Exot Pet Med. 2006; 15:210-217 https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2006.06.007

Trenholme HN Sedation and anesthesia in exotic animal critical care. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2023; 26:(3)591-622 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2023.05.003

Williams CJA, Bertelsen MF Anesthesia and analgesia in reptiles. In: Dyson MC, Jirkof P, Lofgren J, Nunamaker EA, Pang D (eds). San Diego: Academic Press; 2023

Yaw TJ, Mans C, Johnson SM Effect of injection site on alfaxalone-induced sedation in ball pythons (Python regius). J Small Anim Pract. 2018; 59:(12)747-751 https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12918

Yaw TJ, Mans C, Johnson S Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam for sedation of ball pythons (Python regius). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020; 256:(5)573-579 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.256.5.573

Anaesthesia in exotics part 3: reptiles

02 November 2024
13 mins read
Volume 15 · Issue 9

Abstract

Anaesthesia in reptiles is slower paced than in other exotic species. However, anatomical differences mean that anaesthesia in these species is not straightforward. Nonetheless, once understood, reptile anaesthesia can be highly rewarding. There are approximately 10 000 known species of reptiles; therefore, this article will focus on the most common wider groups encountered in veterinary practice: snakes, lizards and chelonians. This is the third in a three-part series of articles designed to provide an outline of the principles of anaesthesia in exotics and instil confidence in the veterinary nurse to be an advocate for exotic animal care.

Anaesthesia in reptiles progresses at a slower pace compared with other exotic species; however, anatomical differences make anaesthesia in reptiles more complex. Once understood, though, reptile anaesthesia can be highly rewarding. There are approximately 10 000 known species of reptiles, so this article will focus on the most commonly encountered groups in veterinary practice: snakes, lizards and chelonians.

This is part three of a series of articles designed to outline the principles of anaesthesia in exotic species and to instil confidence in the veterinary nurse as an advocate for exotic animal care.

As with any anaesthetic procedure, equipment should be prepared and fully charged in advance to prevent avoidable failures during anaesthesia. As discussed in part 1 [Ayers, 2024), surgical loupes can be very useful for smaller patients to assist the veterinary surgeon in performing delicate procedures. Many reptiles become apnoeic after induction, which will be discussed in greater detail later; therefore, preparing a ventilator suitable for exotic reptile procedures is recommended.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.