VN April 2023

Vetnews | April 2023 13 an increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels. 29 To stimulate spontaneous ventilation in the reptile patient during recovery, low oxygen flow rates are maintained with the use of room air and a bag valve mask (i.e. Ambu bag). Summary Heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate, and body temperature, should ideally be monitored during every anesthetic procedure. These vital signs can be gathered using hands-on techniques as well as monitoring tools. A change in respiration is sometimes the first sign of a problem that requires intervention. Birds tolerate apnea to a far less degree than reptiles or mammals. If breathing stops for 10-15 seconds or more in the avian patient, this is often an indication to reduce anesthetic depth and assist ventilation. All reptiles require intermittent positive pressure ventilation at a surgical plane of anesthesia. Changes in heart rate can be a sensitive clue to the physiologic status of the patient, and it is also crucial to carefully monitor body temperature and prevent hypothermia. General metabolism and cardiovascular physiology is highly dependent on environmental temperature in the reptile patient, which should be maintained within its preferred optimum temperature zone. In all species, hypothermia can result in a host of adverse physiologic effects. Severe and prolonged hypothermia can even have potentially fatal consequences. v References: 1. Bailey JE, Pablo LS. Anesthetic monitoring and monitoring equipment: Application in small exotic pet practice. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med 7(1):53-60, 1998. 2. Bertelsen MF. Squamates (snakes and lizards). In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015:657-659. 3. Boedeker NC, Carpenter JW, Mason DE. Comparison of body temperatures of pigeons (Columba livia) anesthetized by three different anesthetic delivery systems. J Avian Med Surg 19(1):1-6, 2005. 4. Dawson WR, Whittow GC. Regulation of body temperature. In: Whittow GC (ed). Sturkie’s Avian Physiology, 5th ed. San Diego: Academic Press; 2000: 343-390. 5. DeVoe RS. Reptilian cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. Proc Annu Conf Am Board Vet Pract 2011. 6. Flecknell P. Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia, 4th ed. Boston: Elsevier; 2015. 7. Flecknell PA, Thomas AA. Comparative anesthesia and analgesia of laboratory animals. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ et al (eds). Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia: The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. Ames, Iowa: Wiley Blackwell; 2015: 758. 8. Galli G, Taylor EW, Wang T. The cardiovascular responses of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta to warming and cooling. J Exp Bio 207 (Pt 9):1471- 1478, 2004. 9. Haskins SC. Monitoring anesthetized patients. In: Grimm KA, Lamont LA, Tranquilli WJ et al (eds). Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia: The Fifth Edition of Lumb and Jones. Ames, Iowa: Wiley Blackwell; 2015: 86-113. 10. Hawkins MG, Zehnder AM, Pascoe PJ. Cagebirds. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015:770-772. 11. Hawkins MG, Pascoe PJ. Anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation of small mammals. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW (eds.) Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2012: 429-451. 12. Heard D. Anesthesia. In: Speer BL (ed). Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2016: 611-615. 13. Heard D. Birds: Miscellaneous. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015: 932. 14. Heard D. Rodents. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015:1576-1579. 15. Holz P. Marsupials. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015: 942-943. 16. Kik MJL, Mitchell MA. Reptile cardiology: A review of anatomy and physiology, diagnostic approaches, and clinical disease. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med 14(1):52-60, 2005. 17. Ko JC, Krimins RA. Thermoregulation. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett N (eds). Zoo Animal andWildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Wiley Blackwell; 2015:188-197. >>> 14 Leading Article