Association of acepromazine with propofol in giant Amazon turtles Podocnemis expansa reared in captivity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of an anesthetic association in giant amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa). METHODS: Twenty healthy P. expansa of both sexes weighing between 1.0 and 1.5kg commercially bred in the Araguaia River Valley, Goias, Brazil, were separated into two groups (G1 n=10 and G2 n=10). Each group received a respective protocol: P1= acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (5 mg/kg IV) and P2 = acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (10 mg/kg IV). The acepromazine was administered in the left thoracic member and the propofol in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heartbeat. RESULTS: The anesthetic induction time was the same for both protocols (P1 and P2); however the P2 effects were of a longer duration. CONCLUSION: The sedation achieved with both protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory for the biological sample collection, physical examinations and minor surgeries on this species.

Association of acepromazine with propofol in giant amazon turtles Podocnemis expansa reared in captivity / Associação da acepromazina com propofol em tartarugas-da-amazônia Podocnemis expansa criadas em cativeiro

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of an anesthetic association in giant amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa). METHODS: Twenty healthy P. expansa of both sexes weighing between 1.0 and 1.5kg commercially bred in the Araguaia River Valley, Goias, Brazil, were separated into two groups (G1 n=10 and G2 n=10). Each group received a respective protocol: P1= acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (5 mg/kg IV) and P2 = acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (10 mg/kg IV). The acepromazine was administered in the left thoracic member and the propofol in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heartbeat. RESULTS: The anesthetic induction time was the same for both protocols (P1 and P2); however the P2 effects were of a longer duration. CONCLUSION: The sedation achieved with both protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory for the biological sample collection, physical examinations and minor surgeries on this species.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de uma associação anestésica com diferentes concentrações em tartarugas-da-amazônia (Podocnemis expansa). MÉTODOS: Vinte P. expansa, hígidas, de ambos os sexos, com massa corporal entre 1,0 e 1,5 kg, de um criatório comercial localizado no vale do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil, foram distribuídas em dois grupos (G1 n=10 e G2 n=10). Cada grupo recebeu um protocolo sendo: P1 = acepromazina (0,5 mg/kg IM) e propofol (5 mg/kg IV) e P2 = acepromazina (0,5 mg/kg IM) e propofol (10 mg/kg IV), aplicados nos grupos G1 e G2, respectivamente. A acepromazina foi aplicada no membro torácico esquerdo e o propofol no seio vertebral cervical. Foram avaliados os parâmetros anestésicos: locomoção, relaxamento muscular, resposta aos estímulos dolorosos no membro torácico direito e nos membros pelvinos e frequência cardíaca. RESULTADOS: O tempo de indução anestésica foi o mesmo para ambos os protocolos (P1 e P2), porém o P2 apresentou efeitos mais duradouros. CONCLUSÃO: As sedações obtidas por esses protocolos (P1 e P2) foram satisfatórias para a colheita de amostras biológicas, exames físicos e realização de pequenos procedimentos cirúrgicos nesta espécie.

Association of midazolam with ketamine in giant Amazon river turtles Podocnemis expansa breed in captivity.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of two anesthetic associations in giant Amazon river turtles (P. expansa). METHODS: Twenty P. expansa, healthy, of both sexes, with weights between 1.0 and 1.5 kg of a commercial breeding facility located in the valley of the Araguaia River, Goiás, Brazil, were divided into two groups ( G1 n = 10 and G2 n = 10). Each group received a protocol being: P1 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (20 mg/kg IM) and P2 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (60 mg/kg IM), applied on G1 and G2, respectively. The drugs were applied in the left forelimb. The clinical parameters evaluated were: locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heart rate. These assessments were made at time 0 (immediately after injection) and times of 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after the injections. RESULTS: Group 2 showed a higher heart rate than G1 and more rapid and prolonged immobilization. CONCLUSION: The sedation scores obtained by these protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory, with possible pharmacological contention for collecting biological samples and physical examination in P. expansa.

Association of midazolam with ketamine in giant Amazon river turtles Podocnemis expansa breed in captivity / Associação de midazolam com cetamina em tartarugas da Amazônia Podocnemis expansa de cativeiro

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of two anesthetic associations in giant Amazon river turtles (P. expansa). METHODS: Twenty P. expansa, healthy, of both sexes, with weights between 1.0 and 1.5 kg of a commercial breeding facility located in the valley of the Araguaia River, Goiás, Brazil, were divided into two groups ( G1 n = 10 and G2 n = 10). Each group received a protocol being: P1 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (20 mg/kg IM) and P2 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (60 mg/kg IM), applied on G1 and G2, respectively. The drugs were applied in the left forelimb. The clinical parameters evaluated were: locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heart rate. These assessments were made at time 0 (immediately after injection) and times of 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after the injections. RESULTS: Group 2 showed a higher heart rate than G1 and more rapid and prolonged immobilization. CONCLUSION: The sedation scores obtained by these protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory, with possible pharmacological contention for collecting biological samples and physical examination in P. expansa.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos de duas associações anestésicas em tartarugas da Amazônia em (Podocnemis expansa). MÉTODOS: Vinte P. expansa, hígidas, de ambos os sexos, com massa corporal entre 1,0 e 1,5 kg, de um criatório comercial localizado no vale do rio Araguaia, Goiás, Brasil, foram distribuídas em dois grupos (G1 n=10 e G2 n=10). Cada grupo recebeu um protocolo sendo: P1 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) com cetamina (20 mg/kg IM) e P2 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) com cetamina (60 mg/kg IM), aplicados nos grupos G1 e G2, respectivamente. Os fármacos foram aplicados no membro torácico esquerdo. Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados foram: locomoção, relaxamento muscular, resposta aos estímulos dolorosos nos membros torácico direito e pelvinos e freqüência cardíaca. Essas avaliações foram feitas no tempo 0 (imediatamente após a injeção) e nos tempos 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 180 minutos após as injeções. RESULTADOS: O G2 apresentou maior freqüência cardíaca que o G1 e imobilização mais rápida e prolongada. CONCLUSÃO: As sedações obtidas por esses protocolos (P1 e P2) foram satisfatórias, sendo possível a contenção farmacológica para a coleta de amostras biológicas e exame físico em P. expansa.

Utilização de Placas de polipropileno e fios de náilon na técnica de fixação espinhal segmentar modificada em uma jibóia / Polypropylene plates and nylon suture in a modified technique of segmental spinal fixation in a redtail boa

Um exemplar adulto de Boa constrictor com histórico de atropelamento foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário. Exames clínico e radiográfico identificaram a presença de uma luxação no terço médio da coluna vertebral. O paciente foi submetido à estabilização cirúrgica da lesão, em que se avaliou a eficácia de uma variação da técnica de fixação espinhal segmentar modificada. O segmento foi estabilizado através da fixação e placas plásticas sob forma de hemicerclagem nos corpos vertebrais, com auxílio de fio de náilon n. 0 e a síntese tecidual finalizou o procedimento. No pós-operatório, instituiu-se a antibioticoterapia, curativos locais diários e restrição de espaço até a cicatrização total do ferimento. A variação da técnica mostrou ser eficaz no realinhamento e estabilização anatômica da luxação do segmento vertebral para a serpente em questão.

An adult exemplar of Boa constrictor with a history of overthrowing was send to the Veterinary Hospital. Clinical and radiographic examinations identified the presence of a dislocation in the third middle of the spine. The patient was submitted to a surgical correction of the lesion, which evaluated the effectiveness of a variation of the modified technique of segmental spinal fixation. The segment was stabilized by fixing plastic plates in the form of hemicerclage in the vertebral bodies, with nylon n.0, and tissue synthesis completed the procedure. Postoperatively, it was instituted antibiotic therapy, daily curatives and space restrictions until the complete healing of the wound. The variation of the technique has proved to be safe and effective for the snake of this study, promoting the realignment and stabilization of the anatomical vertebral segment.

Acupuncture for locomotor disabilities in a South American red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria) - a case report.

The literature contains numerous reports of the effect of acupuncture on domestic or experimental animals, but only a few involving wild animals. This paper reports on acupuncture treatment for locomotor disabilities in a South American red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria, SPIX, 1824), an endangered land tortoise found in Brazils Cerrado region. The animal was captured and kept in an aquatic pen, subsequently developing respiratory symptoms and locomotor disabilities. The respiratory symptoms resolved in response to antibiotic treatment. However, despite the use of nutritional supplements, the motor symptoms remained unchanged. After 16 months, the tortoise was given six acupuncture sessions. No other changes were made to its environment or management. The location of the acupuncture points was transposed from canine charts. After acupuncture, the animals motor functions, which had remained unchanged during the preceding 16 months, were restored, enabling it to eat and walk unaided. The improvement persisted during 18 months follow up. The transposition of acupuncture points from canine charts is a viable alternative for chelonians.