Changes

{{review}}

{{review}}

[[Image:Sqeezbag.jpg|300px|thumb|right|]]  

[[Image:Sqeezbag.jpg|300px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]  

Reptiles are becoming more popular pets and so it is becoming increasingly important to understand handling and treatment for these species. They pose a number of different issues compared to that of other domestic species, for example, some may be more dangerous to handle, and so careful selection of agents is required with the ideal providing muscle relaxation, analgesia, easy control and is both safe for personnel as well as the patient. There are also variations in anatomy compared to that of other domestic species. These include the simple sac like structure to lizard and snake lungs.  

Reptiles are becoming more popular pets and so it is becoming increasingly important to understand handling and treatment for these species. They pose a number of different issues compared to that of other domestic species, for example, some may be more dangerous to handle, and so careful selection of agents is required with the ideal providing muscle relaxation, analgesia, easy control and is both safe for personnel as well as the patient. There are also variations in anatomy compared to that of other domestic species. These include the simple sac like structure to lizard and snake lungs.  

==General Considerations==

==General Considerations==

[[Image:Intubation_lizard.jpg|150px|thumb|right|'''Intubation''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]  

[[Image:Intubation_lizard.jpg|150px|thumb|right|'''Intubation''' (Copyright © RVC)]]  

[[Image:Snake_Glottis.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]  

[[Image:Snake_Glottis.jpg|200px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]  

Changes in temperature can affect physiological systems of reptiles and so [[Thermoregulation|temperature regulation]] is an important consideration when any reptile is hospitalised. During any procedure, the patient should ideally be maintained at their optimum temperature. As many anaesthetic agents are metabolised and/or renally [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|excreted]], it is important to maintain the patient's body temperature as these organs can also be affected thereby prolonging recovery from anaesthesia.

Changes in temperature can affect physiological systems of reptiles and so [[Thermoregulation|temperature regulation]] is an important consideration when any reptile is hospitalised. During any procedure, the patient should ideally be maintained at their optimum temperature. As many anaesthetic agents are metabolised and/or renally [[Lizard and Snake Excretion|excreted]], it is important to maintain the patient's body temperature as these organs can also be affected thereby prolonging recovery from anaesthesia.

==Induction==

==Induction==

[[Image:Iv_injections.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]  

[[Image:Iv_injections.jpg|200px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]  

Induction can be by parenteral injection or gaseous inhalation and the anaesthetic agents are the same as used in mammals.

Induction can be by parenteral injection or gaseous inhalation and the anaesthetic agents are the same as used in mammals.

==Monitoring==

==Monitoring==

[[Image:Doppler_iguana.bmp|150px|thumb|right|'''Doppler blood flow monitor positioned for heart sounds''' (Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Sean Bobbit, Sue Evans, Andrew Devare and Claire Moore. All rights reserved)]]  

[[Image:Doppler_iguana.bmp|150px|thumb|right|'''Doppler blood flow monitor positioned for heart sounds''' (Copyright © RVC)]]  

[[Image:Doppler_on_little_snake.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Copyright © RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]  

[[Image:Doppler_on_little_snake.jpg|200px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]  

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.  

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.