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Lizard Handling and Restraint (view source)
Revision as of 21:21, 2 March 2010
, 21:21, 2 March 2010New page: {{unfinished}} ==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 ...
{{unfinished}}
==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.
[[Image:Iguana_restraint.bmp|150px|thumb|right|'''Iguana restraint''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]
==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.
[[Image:Iguana_restraint.bmp|150px|thumb|right|'''Iguana restraint''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]