Propofol Anesthesia in Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) Sea Turtles

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Rapid, safe, and effective methods of anesthetic induction and recovery are needed for sea turtles, especially in cases eligible for immediate release. This study demonstrates that intravenous propofol provides a rapid induction of anesthesia in loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles and results in rapid recovery, allowing safe return to water shortly after the procedure. Forty-nine loggerhead sea turtles were recovered as local fishery by-catch in pound nets and transported to a surgical suite for laparoscopic sex determination. Treatment animals (n532) received 5 mg/kg propofol intravenously (i.v.) as a rapid bolus, whereas control animals (n517) received no propofol. For analgesia, all animals received a 4 ml infusion of 1% lidocaine, locally, as well as 2 mg/kg ketoprofen intramuscularly (i.m.). Physiologic data included heart and respiratory rate, temperature, and a single blood gas sample collected upon termination of the laparoscopy. Subjective data included jaw tone and ocular reflex: 3 (vigorous) to 0 (none detected). Anesthetic depth was scored from 1, no anesthesia, to 3, surgical anesthesia. Turtles receiving propofol became apneic for a minimum of 5 min with a mean time of 13.7 6 8.3 min to the first respiration. Limb movement returned at a mean time of 21.1 6 16.8 min. The treatment animals were judged to be sedated for ,30 min (mean anesthetic depth score $ 1.5) when compared to controls. Median respiratory rates for treatment animals were slower compared to controls for the first 15 min, then after 35 min, they became significantly faster than the controls. Median heart rates of control animals became significantly slower than treatment animals between 40 and 45 min. Physiologic differences between groups persisted a minimum of 55 min. Possible explanations for heart rate and respiratory rate differences later in the monitoring period include a compensatory recovery of treatment animals from anesthesia-induced hypoxia and hypercapnia or, alternatively, an induced response of the nonsedated control animals. The animals induced with propofol were easier to secure to the restraint device and moved less during laparoscopy. In conclusion, propofol is a safe and effective injectable anesthetic for use in free-ranging loggerhead sea turtles that provides rapid induction and recovery.

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

“…Maclean et al 15 , when using 5 mg/kg of propofol in testudines of the species Caretta caretta observed fast induction and recovery while providing enough sedation of the animals for short periods of surgical anesthesia. In this study, no significant difference (p>0.05) between the groups G1 and G2 at the measured times of 0 to 90 minutes was observed, but beginning at 120 minutes, the turtles from G1 had significantly (p<0.05) lower scores for locomotion when compared to G2 (Figure 2).…”

Chelonia (Tortoises, Turtles, and Terrapins)

“…In a study in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), propofol (5 mg/kg) produced an adequate plane of anesthesia for laparoscopic sex determination. The duration of effect lasted 30 minutes (MacLean et al 2008). Prolonged apnea following induction with propofol is a common complication in chelonians and prompt intubation and manual ventilation are therefore required.…”

THE EFFICACY OF INTRACOELOMIC FOSPROPOFOL IN RED-EARED SLIDERS (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS)

“…2,19,21 However, there are circumstances where it is difficult or impractical to achieve intravenous or intraosseous access such as in very small animals or animals that are difficult to restrain adequately. While the chelonian subcarapacial or supravertebral sinus is easily accessible and can be used to deliver anesthetics, a report of inadvertent submeningeal administration of propofol in tortoises suggests drug administration via this sinus may carry more risk than previously thought.…”