Contributor: Javier Nevarez, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DECZM (Herpetology)

Article  Quiz  Video  Webinar 

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.

Article  Video 

Blood Collection in Turtles and Tortoises

Successful venipuncture can be a challenge in turtles and tortoises, however hematology and biochemistry results serve as an important part of the minimum database in chelonians just as they do for all veterinary patients. Use this video, or text with still images, to review the equipment needed and sample handling recommendations as well as the potential complications and proper approach to the jugular vein, brachial vein, subcarapacial vessel, and dorsal coccygeal sinus in the chelonian.

Javier G. Nevarez, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DECZM (Herpetology)

Javier G. Nevarez obtained his Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in animal science in 1998, his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, and a PhD in 2007, all from Louisiana State University. In 2002, he completed an internship in zoological medicine at the Louisiana State University of Veterinary Medicine (LSU SVM). Dr. Nevarez became a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and the European College of Zoological Medicine (Herpetology) in 2011. He has been a faculty member of the Zoological Medicine service at LSU-SVM since 2003…

Article 

A Guide to Esophagostomy Tube Placement in Chelonians

The use of esophagostomy tubes (e-tubes) allows administration of oral medications and critical care nutrition to turtles and tortoises while minimizing stress and the risk of esophageal trauma associated with repeated rigid gavage tube feeding. Esophagostomy tubes are very well tolerated in chelonians and the patient can even eat normally with the tube in place. Patients can be medicated and fed on an outpatient basis, and once fully recovered, the e-tube is easily removed in the veterinary clinic.