Field Anesthesia and Gonadal Morphology of Immature Western Santa Cruz Tortoises (Chelonoidis Porteri)

Emmel, Evan S.; Rivera, Samuel; Cabrera, Freddy; Blake, Stephen; Deem, Sharon L.

doi:10.1638/2019-0240

Cited by 5 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Anaesthesia and analgesia methods have varied widely in previous reports of chelonian endoscopic sexing. Some studies utilised multimodal anaesthetic and analgesic protocols, while others relied on a single agent with limited attention to postoperative analgesia 4,9–17 . Based on the present study, in which multimodal anaesthesia and analgesia methods were safe and effective, the authors encourage the use of such methods for future chelonian endoscopic sexing procedures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Some studies utilised multimodal anaesthetic and analgesic protocols, while others relied on a single agent with limited attention to postoperative analgesia. 4,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Based on the present study, in which multimodal anaesthesia and analgesia methods were safe and effective, the authors encourage the use of such methods for future chelonian endoscopic sexing procedures. These methods provided a good level of sedation and anaesthesia during the procedure, and likely provided analgesia for 1 day postoperatively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…[6][7][8][9] Visualisation of the gonads is the most reliable method to confidently and immediately identify sex and, although invasive, endoscopy has gained popularity. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Endoscopic techniques are often favoured because they provide real-time magnified and detailed images for immediate identification, and also provide information on any congenital abnormalities or other coelomic disease processes. Endoscopy is minimally invasive and preferred over traditional coeliotomy methods, which are slower and more invasive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current sexing techniques for juvenile Testudines include endoscopy, molecular techniques, hormone analysis, chorioallantoic/amniotic fluid testing and postmortem examinations 6–9 . Visualisation of the gonads is the most reliable method to confidently and immediately identify sex and, although invasive, endoscopy has gained popularity 9–17 . Endoscopic techniques are often favoured because they provide real‐time magnified and detailed images for immediate identification, and also provide information on any congenital abnormalities or other coelomic disease processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Endoscopic sexing in turtles and tortoises: 467 cases (2007–2017)

et al. 2022

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Background This multi‐institutional retrospective study evaluated the feasibility and safety of endoscopic sex identification in 467 turtles and tortoises, representing 10 species. Methods Medical records of turtles and tortoises that underwent endoscopic sex identification at the University of Georgia, New England Aquarium and Turtle Conservancy were reviewed for presurgical management, anaesthesia, endoscopic equipment and surgical techniques, endoscopic results and complications. Results The majority of animals weighed less than 200 g, were fasted and anaesthetised using an injectable combination of ketamine, dexmedetomidine and morphine or hydromorphone, supplemented by local lidocaine at the prefemoral site. Anaesthetic reversal using atipamezole alone or in combination with naloxone was routine. For uncomplicated procedures, mean total anaesthesia, surgery and recovery times were 22, 4 and 18 minutes, respectively. All animals were placed in lateral recumbency for a prefemoral endoscopic approach to the coelom using a rigid telescope and sterile fluid infusion to visualise the gonads. Sex identification was definitive in 99.4% (n = 464) of the animals. Iatrogenic bladder perforation was the most common complication (n = 5), which necessitated extended anaesthesia and surgical time for repair. Only a single anaesthetic‐related death was reported, which was associated with human error and drug overdose. Conclusions This is the first large‐scale study to retrospectively evaluate endoscopic sex identification in multiple chelonian species. Results suggest that endoscopic sexing is a safe, accurate and practical means for sex identification in turtles and tortoises, and represents a valuable tool in their reproductive management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Endoscopic sexing in turtles and tortoises: 467 cases (2007–2017)

et al. 2022

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“…7,8,10,11 Regimens that involve SC or IM injection of combinations of ketamine and a 2 -adrenoceptor agonists are routinely used as a practical method for anesthetizing chelonians, especially in settings where inhalation anesthesia equipment is not available or when the animal retracts its head and cannot be readily intubated. 8,12,13 Injections are traditionally administered in a forelimb owing to the presence of renal-portal and hepatic-portal circulation systems. 8 There are some previous reports of injectable anesthesia in red-footed tortoises.…”

Section: Conclusion and Clinical Relevancementioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the effects of a dexmedetomidine-midazolam-ketamine combination administered intramuscularly to captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria)

Eshar

Rooney

Gardhouse

et al. 2021

ajvr

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OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a dexmedetomidine-midazolam-ketamine (DMK) combination administered IM to captive red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria). ANIMALS 12 healthy adult red-footed tortoises. PROCEDURES In a prospective experimental study, DMK (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg, respectively) was administered IM as separate injections into the right antebrachium. Atipamezole (0.5 mg/kg, IM) and flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg, SC) were administered into the left antebrachium 60 minutes later. Times to the first treatment response and maximal treatment effect after DMK administration and time to recovery after reversal agent administration were recorded. Vital signs and reflexes or responses to stimuli were assessed and recorded at predetermined intervals. RESULTS DMK treatment produced deep sedation or light anesthesia for ≥ 20 minutes in all tortoises. Induction and recovery were rapid, with no complications noted. Median times to first response, maximum effect, and recovery were 4.5, 35, and 14.5 minutes, respectively. Two tortoises required additional reversal agent administration but recovered < 20 minutes after the repeated injections. Mean heart and respiratory rates decreased significantly over time. All animals lost muscle tone in the neck and limbs from 35 to 55 minutes after DMK injection, but other variables including palpebral reflexes, responses to mild noxious stimuli (eg, toe pinching, tail pinching, and saline ([0.9 NaCl] solution injection), and ability to intubate were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE DMK administration produced deep sedation or light anesthesia with no adverse effects in healthy adult red-footed tortoises. At the doses administered, deep surgical anesthesia was not consistently achieved. Anesthetic depth must be carefully evaluated before performing painful procedures in red-footed tortoises with this DMK protocol.

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