Difference between revisions of "Lizard and Snake Respiration"
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| − | Breathing is controlled differently in reptiles to mammals and this has important considerations for anaesthetics. | + | Breathing is controlled differently in reptiles to mammals and this has important considerations for [[Lizard and Snake Anaesthesia|anaesthetics]]. See [[Snake Respiratory System|snake respiratory system]]. |
| − | *'''Breathing process''' - Inspiration is due to the movements of the intercostal muscles and not by gulping air (gular breathing) into their lungs. The glottis is normally kept closed and is only opened by the dilator glottis muscle during active respiration. Snakes lack a cough reflex so conscious intubation is possible. This allows rapid induction of general anaesthesia. Snakes do not have a diaphragm and the intercostal and intrapulmonary muscles are used to vary the lung volume and intrapulmonary pressures. Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) may be necessary during anaesthesia since anaesthetic agents affect these muscles. | + | *'''Breathing process''' - Inspiration is due to the movements of the intercostal muscles and not by gulping air (gular breathing) into their [[Snake Respiratory System|lungs]]. The glottis is normally kept closed and is only opened by the dilator glottis muscle during active respiration. Snakes lack a cough reflex so conscious intubation is possible. This allows rapid induction of general anaesthesia. Snakes do not have a diaphragm and the intercostal and intrapulmonary muscles are used to vary the lung volume and intrapulmonary pressures. Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) may be necessary during [[Lizard and Snake Anaesthesia|anaesthesia]] since anaesthetic agents affect these [[Snake Musculoskeletal System|muscles]]. |
*'''Metabolic control of respiration''' - Mammalian respiration is controlled to maintain blood CO2 and pH within narrow limits whereas blood oxygen partial pressure and temperature control reptilian respiration. Hypoxaemia increases the rate of breathing rather than hypercapnia. High oxygen environments (e.g. 100% oxygen during recovery from anaesthesia) suppress the spontaneous respiratory rate. | *'''Metabolic control of respiration''' - Mammalian respiration is controlled to maintain blood CO2 and pH within narrow limits whereas blood oxygen partial pressure and temperature control reptilian respiration. Hypoxaemia increases the rate of breathing rather than hypercapnia. High oxygen environments (e.g. 100% oxygen during recovery from anaesthesia) suppress the spontaneous respiratory rate. | ||
| + | **Find out more about [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|lizard and snake biochemistry]]. | ||
*'''Anaerobic metabolism''' - Reptiles can function to a large extent with anaerobic metabolism. They are able to survive with increased lactate due to their buffering system. Compensatory factors may conceal respiratory disease until it is advanced. Reptiles are capable of breath-holding and may be difficult to induce with volatile agents in an induction chamber. | *'''Anaerobic metabolism''' - Reptiles can function to a large extent with anaerobic metabolism. They are able to survive with increased lactate due to their buffering system. Compensatory factors may conceal respiratory disease until it is advanced. Reptiles are capable of breath-holding and may be difficult to induce with volatile agents in an induction chamber. | ||
[[Category:Lizard_and_Snake_Physiology|R]] | [[Category:Lizard_and_Snake_Physiology|R]] | ||
Revision as of 19:12, 25 April 2010
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Breathing is controlled differently in reptiles to mammals and this has important considerations for anaesthetics. See snake respiratory system.
- Breathing process - Inspiration is due to the movements of the intercostal muscles and not by gulping air (gular breathing) into their lungs. The glottis is normally kept closed and is only opened by the dilator glottis muscle during active respiration. Snakes lack a cough reflex so conscious intubation is possible. This allows rapid induction of general anaesthesia. Snakes do not have a diaphragm and the intercostal and intrapulmonary muscles are used to vary the lung volume and intrapulmonary pressures. Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) may be necessary during anaesthesia since anaesthetic agents affect these muscles.
- Metabolic control of respiration - Mammalian respiration is controlled to maintain blood CO2 and pH within narrow limits whereas blood oxygen partial pressure and temperature control reptilian respiration. Hypoxaemia increases the rate of breathing rather than hypercapnia. High oxygen environments (e.g. 100% oxygen during recovery from anaesthesia) suppress the spontaneous respiratory rate.
- Find out more about lizard and snake biochemistry.
- Anaerobic metabolism - Reptiles can function to a large extent with anaerobic metabolism. They are able to survive with increased lactate due to their buffering system. Compensatory factors may conceal respiratory disease until it is advanced. Reptiles are capable of breath-holding and may be difficult to induce with volatile agents in an induction chamber.