Lizard Formulary - Anaesthesia Associated Drugs

Anaesthesia associated drugs

Acetylpromazine

• Pre-anaesthetic
• 0.05-0.5 mg/kg

Alphadolone/alphaxalone

• Saffan 3 mg/ml alphadolone and 9 mg/ml alphaxalone giving a 12mg/ml solution
• Induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia
• 6-9 mg/kg IV
• 9-15 mg/kg IM
• Incremental doses according to the animal's response

Atropine

• Pre-anaesthetic
• Use with bradycardia
• 0.01-0.1 mg/kg IM,SC

Buprenorphine

• Analgesic
• 0.005-0.02 mg/kg IM q24-48h

Butorphanol

• Analgesic
• No established dose

Diazepam

• No established dose

Doxapram

• Respiratory stimulant
• 5 mg/kg IV

Halothane

• Gaseous anaesthetic
• 3-4% induction
• 1.5-3% maintenance

Isoflurane

• Inhalational anaesthetic of choice
• Less hepatotoxic than other inhalants
• Rapid induction and recovery in lizards
• Up to 6% induction
• 2-3% maintenance

Ketamine

• Muscle relaxation and analgesia may be marginal
• Prolonged recovery with higher doses
• Larger reptiles require lower dose
• Painful at injection site
• Questionable safety in debilitated animals
• Avoid use with renal impairment
• Lizards require lower dose than other reptiles
• 10-30 mg/kg IM as a sedative, facilitates intubation
• Useful in large lizards (11.6 mg/kg) in combination with midazolam (0.34-0.35 mg/kg)

Lignocaine

• Local anaesthetic

Midazolam

• May be useful in some species
• 2 mg/kg

Pentobarbitone

• Euthanasia
• 60 mg/kg IV, ICo

Propofol

• Injectable anaesthetic of choice
• Rapid induction and rapid recovery
• 10 mg/kg IV
• Additional doses of 10% of the original may be administered for maintenance

Tiletamine/ zolazepam

• Not generally used but useful in larger lizards
• 5.5 mg/kg in a 55kg komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) led to easy handling within 30 minutes but heavy sedation the day after the anaesthetic
• 10-40 mg/kg IM- 8-20 minute induction, 2-10 hour recovery in smaller individuals

Xylazine

• Infrequently used
• 0.1-1.25 mg/kg IV, IM