Bearded dragon anaesthetic

Re: Bearded dragon anaesthetic

Niall Taylor — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 10:59:54 GMT

Just a quick update on this one.

We attempted the anaesthetic using isofluorane in an anaesthetic chamber and got her drowsy enough to do a better examn of the eye which appeared to have corneal oedema with a degree of neovascularisation. A swab was taken & the conjunctival sac was irrigated with saline. Swab was negative and the flushing made little/no difference.

We kept an eye on things for a while, then the feeling was that the other eye was starting to go the same way and the original eye was getting worse. There was a distinct loss of appetite & BCS. At this point the owner consented to referral.

After an excellent and very detailed work-up the condition was found to be infected ovarian follicles causing septicaemia with the changes in the eye being secondary. An ovaro-hysterectomy was performed and the offending material removed.

I've just this second checked with the owner and "Elvis" (yes, it is a female!) is doing well post-op and the eye is starting to improve.

So thanks again Marie for your help, and vetsurgeon.org for just being there

Cheers,

Niall

Re: Bearded dragon anaesthetic

Niall Taylor — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 06:46:53 GMT

Brilliant Marie - such a comprehensive answer! I'll let you know how I get on although it sounds like my iso plan might not be that successful.

All the best,

Niall

Re: Bearded dragon anaesthetic

Marie Kubiak — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 10:02:37 GMT

Hi,

reptiles have low oxygen requirements so breathhold well in iso and you could be there a while. Alfaxan IV (5mg/kg) is quick and can be topped up with a further dose, or iso given via ventilation. The ventral tail vein is surprisingly easy to find - underside of the tail (avoid top 1 inch if male), go in perpendicular to skin at midline, advance till you hit bone then very gently withdraw until you find blood with a little negative pressure on the syringe. it really isn't difficult to do. If all else fails you can give alfaxan IM at 10mg/kg instead. Propofol IV (10mg/kg) is another option.

I use dog urinary catheters or mini avian tubes for ET tubes as the trachea is too small for cat/dog ones. The glottis is quite fleshy and mobile at the base of the tongue so you may need a stilette if the tube is soft. I then attach the tube to a wooden tongue depressor for security and to reduce the chances of it being bitten in two during recovery!

DDx are bacterial/fungal/microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis, neoplasia (often SCC), photokeratitis, papillomas, wounds from companion/prey insect, FB, chronic dysecdydis, parasitic/bacterial uveitis and dry eye secondary to Vitamin A deficiency.

I would look to do a full examination as you plan, plus to take culture/cytology samples, but also be prepared for surgical biopsy or enucleation if indicated.

Marie