Spotlight on Anesthesia & Analgesia in Reptiles

View the RACE-approved webinar recording presented by Javier Nevarez, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DECZM (Herpetology). The live event was an updated version of his 2016 presentation. Topics covered include recognizing signs of pain and discomfort, analgesics commonly used in reptiles, as well as balanced anesthetic protocols. Since a key component of successful anesthesia and analgesia is the ability to properly monitor the patient, essential monitoring parameters and equipment are also discussed. This presentation concludes with a review of respiratory stimulus in the reptile and anesthetic recovery . . .


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References

References listed below were discussed during the 2024 presentation or touched upon during the Q&A session:

  1. Ferreira TH, Fink DM, Mans C. Evaluation of neuraxial administration of bupivacaine in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2021;48(5):798-803. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.06.012. Epub 2021 Jul 2. PMID: 34326001.
  2. Ferreira TH, Mans C. Evaluation of neuraxial anesthesia in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2019 Jan;46(1):126-134. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2018.09.001. Epub 2018 Sep 19. PMID: 30344028.
  3. Fink DM, Ferreira TH, Mans C. Neuraxial administration of morphine combined with lidocaine induces regional antinociception in inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). Am J Vet Res. 2021;83(3):212-217. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.21.08.0104. PMID: 34968185.
  4. Galli G, Taylor EW, Wang T. The cardiovascular responses of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta to warming and cooling. J Exp Biol. 2004;207(Pt 9):1471-8. doi: 10.1242/jeb.00912. PMID: 15037641.
  5. Greunz EM, Williams C, Ringgaard S, et al. Elimination of intracardiac shunting provides stable gas anesthesia in tortoises. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):17124. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35588-w. PMID: 30459408; PMCID: PMC6244002.
  6. Hicks JW. Adrenergic and cholinergic regulation of intracardiac shunting. Physiological Zoology. 1994;67(6):1325-1346. https://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.67.6.30163900.
  7. Kharbush RJ, Gutwillig A, Hartzler KE, et al. Antinociceptive and respiratory effects following application of transdermal fentanyl patches and assessment of brain μ-opioid receptor mRNA expression in ball pythons. Am J Vet Res. 2017;78(7):785-795. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.78.7.785. PMID: 28650234; PMCID: PMC5584939.
  8. Kristensen L, Zardo JQ, Hansen SM, et al. Effect of atropine and propofol on the minimum anaesthetic concentration of isoflurane in the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta (yellow-bellied slider). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2023;50(2):180-187. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.10.008. Epub 2022 Nov 30. PMID: 36739261.
  9. Mans C. Clinical technique: intrathecal drug administration in turtles and tortoises. J Exotic Pet Med. 2014; 23(1):  67-70. doi:  10.1053/j.jepm.2013.11.011.
  10. Mans C, Steagall PVM, Lahner LL, Johnson SM, Sladky KK. Efficacy of intrathecal lidocaine, bupivacaine, and morphine for spinal anesthesia and analgesia in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Proc Annu Conf American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. 2011. P. 135. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christoph-Mans/publication/292020716_Efficacy_of_intrathecal_lidocaine_bupivacaine_and_morphine_for_spinal_anesthesia_and_analgesia_in_red-eared_slider_turtles_Trachemys_scripta_elegans/links/56ad2d5708aeaa696f2cadb8/Efficacy-of-intrathecal-lidocaine-bupivacaine-and-morphine-for-spinal-anesthesia-and-analgesia-in-red-eared-slider-turtles-Trachemys-scripta-elegans.pdf.
  11. Perry SM, Nevarez JG. Pain and its control in reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2018;21(1):1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2017.08.001. PMID: 29146025.
  12. Sadler RA, Schumacher JP, Rathore K, et al. Evaluation of the role of the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway during inflammation in skin and muscle tissues of ball pythons (Python regius). Am J Vet Res. 2016;77(5):487-94. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.77.5.487. PMID: 27111016.
  13. Schumacher J, Yelen T. Anesthesia and analgesia. In: Mader D (ed). Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd ed. 2012. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier. Pp 442-452.
  14. Sladky KK. Treatment of pain in reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2023;26(1):43-64. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.07.004. PMID: 36402488.
  15. Sladky KK, Mans C. Clinical anesthesia in reptiles. J Exotic Pet Med. 2012;21(1):17-31. doi:  10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.013.
  16. Ting AKY, Tay VSY, Chng HT, Xie S. A critical review on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid drugs used in reptiles. Vet Anim Sci. 2022;17:100267. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2022.100267. PMID: 36043206; PMCID: PMC9420515.
  17. Walter B, Johnson S, Sladky K, Cox S, Thurber M. Serum fentanyl concentrations and behavior associated with transdermal fentanyl application on healthy corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2024;54(4):738-745. doi: 10.1638/2022-0162. PMID: 38251997.

 

FURTHER READING

Darrow BG, Myers GE, Kukanich B. Fentanyl transdermal therapeutic system pharmacokinetic in ball pythons (Python regius). Proc Annu Conf Am Assoc Zoo Vet 2010:238-239.

Gamble KC. Plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved after transdermal fentanyl patch application in prehensile-tailed skinks, Corucia zebra. Journal of Herpetologial Medicine and Surgery. 2008; 18(3/4):81-85. doi:  10.5818/1529-9651.18.3-4.81.

Gutwillig A, Abbott A, Johnson SM, et al. Opioid-dependent analgesia in ball pythons (Python regius) and corn snakes (Elaphe guttata). Proc Annu Conf Assoc Reptile Amphibian Vets 2012:66.

Rivera S, Divers SJ, Knafo SE, et al. Sterilisation of hybrid Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) for island restoration. Part 2: phallectomy of males under intrathecal anaesthesia with lidocaine. Vet Rec. 2011;168(3):78. doi: 10.1136/vr.c6361. Epub 2011 Jan 17. PMID: 21257586.

To cite this page:

Nevarez J. Spotlight on anesthesia and analgesia in reptiles. Aug 4, 2016; updated January 28, 2024. LafeberVet website. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/spotlight-anesthesia-analgesia-reptiles/