Intravenous alfaxalone, administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg in the jugular vein, was evaluated in 20 leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) to ascertain its ability to provide a level of anesthesia. The induction time, time to loss of mandibular tone, interval of deep anesthesia, and full recovery time were 27.5 ± 30.7 seconds (10 to 56 seconds), 1.3 ± 1.4 minutes (11 seconds to 4 minutes), 12.5 ± 2.2 minutes (11.11 to 15.39 minutes), and 18.8 ± 12.1 minutes (10.4 to 52.31 minutes), respectively. A significant reduction in heart rate (74 ± 12.9 beats/minute) between 2 and 24 minutes after alfaxalone administration was recorded. A significant decrease of respiratory rate (26.8 ± 10.1 breaths/minute) was recorded 2 minutes after alfaxalone administration and respiratory rate remained lower than basal respiratory (31.4 ± 3.1 breaths/minute) for 24 minutes, but without statistical significance. The intravenous administration of alfaxalone in leopard geckos achieved a rapid onset of anasthesia and a suitable recovery time. Based on this investigation the afaxalone dose and administration site has proved to be a suitable protocol for sedation before tracheal intubation through maintenance on gas anesthesia. Moreover, the administration technique, jugular administration of the drug, was acceptable in leopard geckos, in which other venipuncture sites are challenging or inaccessible.
INTRAVENOUS ALFAXALONE ANAESTHESIA IN LEOPARD GECKOS (EUBLEPHARIS MACULARIUS)
Morici M.;Spadola F.;Oliveri M.;
2018-01-01
Abstract
Intravenous alfaxalone, administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg in the jugular vein, was evaluated in 20 leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) to ascertain its ability to provide a level of anesthesia. The induction time, time to loss of mandibular tone, interval of deep anesthesia, and full recovery time were 27.5 ± 30.7 seconds (10 to 56 seconds), 1.3 ± 1.4 minutes (11 seconds to 4 minutes), 12.5 ± 2.2 minutes (11.11 to 15.39 minutes), and 18.8 ± 12.1 minutes (10.4 to 52.31 minutes), respectively. A significant reduction in heart rate (74 ± 12.9 beats/minute) between 2 and 24 minutes after alfaxalone administration was recorded. A significant decrease of respiratory rate (26.8 ± 10.1 breaths/minute) was recorded 2 minutes after alfaxalone administration and respiratory rate remained lower than basal respiratory (31.4 ± 3.1 breaths/minute) for 24 minutes, but without statistical significance. The intravenous administration of alfaxalone in leopard geckos achieved a rapid onset of anasthesia and a suitable recovery time. Based on this investigation the afaxalone dose and administration site has proved to be a suitable protocol for sedation before tracheal intubation through maintenance on gas anesthesia. Moreover, the administration technique, jugular administration of the drug, was acceptable in leopard geckos, in which other venipuncture sites are challenging or inaccessible.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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