Lizard Handling and Restraint
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Handling
Lizards should be held with a light touch since they tend to struggle more violently the more firmly they are restrained. They should not be picked up by the limbs or the tail which can result in shed tails (autotomy) and disarticulated or broken limbs.
Take care handling very small lizards, hatchlings and sick animals, especially those with metabolic bone disease.
Note that Gila monsters and beaded lizards have poisonous bites!
Chemical restraint
Restraint can be induced by parenteral injection of a variety of sedatives. Ketamine is a commonly used dissociative. To facilitate intravenous induction ketamine can be administered by intramuscular injection at 10mg/kg
Non-chemical restraint - the oculovagal response
When digital pressure is applied to the eyes of iguanids for a short period there is a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure which results in a state of torpor. Minor procedures such as radiography can then be performed. Noise or physical stimulation will arouse the iguana.
