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

• The effect of ketamine in lizards is related to dose, species and the individual. Lizards require lower doses than other reptiles. It is useful for sedation or induction of anaesthesia for intubation. Sedation may require as little as 10 mg/kg while anaesthesia may require up to 50 mg/kg. Induction may take 10 to 30 minutes with recovery over 24 hours.
• 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