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Isoflurane is the agent of choice for maintenance of anaesthesia. Propofol by slow intravenous or intraosseous administration can also be used.
Isoflurane is the agent of choice for maintenance of anaesthesia. Propofol by slow intravenous or intraosseous administration can also be used.
Where possible, anaesthetised reptiles should be kept in sternal recumbancy, to help with circulation and prevention of hypotension developing. Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia can be difficult in reptiles but may of the same reflexes and response can be monitored as in other domestic species. As in other species, cardiovascular and respiratory systems should also be closely monitored. This can be done using oesophageal stethoscopes, ECGs and blood gas analysis. As previously mentioned it is also important to maintain the patient at its ideal temperature throughout the anaesthetic.
Where possible, anaesthetised reptiles should be kept in sternal recumbancy, to help with circulation and prevention of hypotension developing. Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia can be difficult in reptiles but may of the same reflexes and response can be monitored as in other domestic species. It is also important to maintain the patient at its ideal temperature throughout the anaesthetic.
Physical reflexes are especially important since lizards at a plane of surgical anaesthesia may suddenly appear fully awake. This probably occurs from trying to maintain the lizard as light as possible. Reflexes and responses include:
Physical reflexes are especially important since lizards at a plane of surgical anaesthesia may suddenly appear fully awake. This probably occurs from trying to maintain the lizard as light as possible. Reflexes and responses include:
Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) is necessary.
Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) is necessary.
The most important anaesthetic monitoring aid is a Doppler blood flow monitor. A pulse oximeter and an electrocardiograph may also be useful. Advanced monitoring aids include blood gas saturation and capnography. The heart rates of lizards are relatively slow. Normal readings are about 50 bpm. Although readings for pulse oximetry may drop below 70% aim for haemoglobin saturation above 90%.
As in other species, cardiovascular and respiratory systems should also be closely monitored. The most important anaesthetic monitoring aid is a Doppler blood flow monitor. A pulse oximeter and an electrocardiograph may also be useful. Advanced monitoring aids include blood gas saturation and capnography. The heart rates of lizards are relatively slow. Normal readings are about 50 bpm. Although readings for pulse oximetry may drop below 70% aim for haemoglobin saturation above 90%.
==Postanaesthetic Considerations==
==Postanaesthetic Considerations==
Recovery can take between 10-30 minutes on average in reptiles. The patient should be minimally handled or stimulated as to prevent cardiovascular problems. Hypothermia can be a major cause of prolonged recovery as previously discussed. However, care should be taken to make sure that the patient is not overheated as this may lead to necosis and metabolic disturbances. Monitoring of the patient should continue until full normal function is obtained, and provision of oxygen or room air via assisted ventilation may be necessary until spontaneous breathing has returned. The patient may appear to of recovered and then gone back to an "re-anaesthetised" state and rest for periods during recovery. Full recovery may take up to 24 hours.
Recovery can take between 10-30 minutes on average in reptiles. The patient should be minimally handled or stimulated as to prevent cardiovascular problems. Hypothermia can be a major cause of prolonged recovery as previously discussed. However, care should be taken to make sure that the patient is not overheated as this may lead to necosis and metabolic disturbances. Monitoring of the patient should continue until full normal function is obtained, and provision of oxygen or room air via assisted ventilation may be necessary until spontaneous breathing has returned. The patient may appear to of recovered and then gone back to an "re-anaesthetised" state and rest for periods during recovery. Full recovery may take up to 24 hours.