Intramuscular administration of alfaxalone in red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) – effects of dose and body temperature. (22nd June 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kischinovsky, Michelle; Duse, Anna; Wang, Tobias; Bertelsen, Mads F
• Is Part Of: Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. Volume 40:Number 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2012-06-22
• Subjects: Veterinary anesthesia -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00745.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2987

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective </bold> To characterise the effects of alfaxalone by intramuscular (IM) injection in red‐eared slider turtles and the influence of body temperature on anaesthetic duration and depth.</p> <p> <bold>Study design </bold> Prospective, randomised part‐blinded experimental trial.</p> <p> <bold>Animals </bold> Ten healthy adult female red‐eared sliders.</p> <p> <bold>Methods </bold> Each turtle was anaesthetized four times with 10 and 20 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> alfaxalone at 20 and 35 °C respectively. Time to maximal effect and plateau and recovery periods were recorded. Skeletal muscle tone, presence of various reflexes, response to noxious stimuli, and heart rate were assessed.</p> <p> <bold>Results </bold> Results are given for protocols 10 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> 20 °C; 20 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> 20 °C; 10 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> 35 °C and 20 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> 35 °C, respectively: mean time (±SD) to maximal effect was 16 ± 8, 19 ± 6, 5 ± 2 and 7 ± 5 minutes; duration of the plateau phase was 13 ± 12, 28 ± 13, 8 ± 5 and 8 ± 5 minutes and recovery time was 76 ± 20, 126 ± 17, 28 ± 9 and 41 ± 20 minutes. Endotracheal intubation was successful in 80%, 100%, 0% and 30% of turtles, respectively. At 35 °C, all animals retained nociceptive sensation in the front limbs, hind limbs and vent, whereas at 20 °C a few turtles lost peripheral nociceptive sensation. Corneal and tap reflexes were retained in all trials. Mean heart rates were 30 ± 2 and 66 ± 4 beats minute<sup>−1</sup> at 20 and 35 °C, respectively.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions and clinical relevance </bold> Alfaxalone administered IM in red‐eared sliders provided smooth, rapid induction and uneventful recovery. At 35 °C either dosage provided only short (5–10 minutes) and light sedation. At 20 °C, 10 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> provided sedation suitable for short non‐invasive procedures. About 20 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> provided anaesthesia of approximately 20 minutes duration, appropriate for induction of inhalational anaesthesia or for brief surgical procedures with supplemental analgesia.</p> </abstract>