The anesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of butorphanol followed by sevoflurane or isoflurane were compared in 23 male green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Heart and respiratory rates were recorded before administration of butorphanol (2... more
The anesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of butorphanol followed by sevoflurane or isoflurane were compared in 23 male green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Heart and respiratory rates were recorded before administration of butorphanol (2 mg/kg i.m.) and at 30 min after premedication. Anesthesia was induced in 12 iguanas (group 1) with isoflurane (5%) and in 11 iguanas (group 2) with sevoflurane (7%). Heart rate, relative arterial oxygen hemoglobin saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal CO2 concentrations (EtCO2) were measured every minute for the first 5 min and every 5 min thereafter. Arterial blood gas parameters were determined at 10 and 40 min after induction. Thirty minutes after butorphanol administration, no significant changes in heart and respiratory rate were seen as compared with baseline values. Quality and time to induction were superior with butorphanol-sevoflurane (6 +/- 3 min) than with butorphanol-isoflurane (9 +/- 4 min). Vaporizer settings during maintenance ranged between 1-3% and 2-4%, respectively. No significant differences in heart rate were noted between groups. In the sevoflurane group, SpO2 values were > 90% throughout. Although SpO2, values were < 90% at 20, 25, and 30 min in the isoflurane group, no significant differences in SpO2 values were seen over time and between groups. A significant decrease in EtCO2 with time was present in both groups, with no significant differences between the groups. At 10 and 40 min, arterial blood oxygen saturation values were > 90% in both groups and no significant differences were noted with time and between groups. Recovery time was significantly longer in the butorphanol-isoflurane group (35 +/- 27 min) than in the butorphanol-sevoflurane group (7 +/- 4 min). The cardiopulmonary effects of butorphanol-isoflurane and butorphanol-sevoflurane assessed in this study are similar, and both inhalants appear to be safe and effective for induction and maintenance in the green iguana.
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Nutritional problems encountered in avian practice include poor feeding management, faulty diets, and birds suffering from disease or trauma and in need of nutritional support. Energy intakes may be inadequate or excessive. Diets may be... more
Nutritional problems encountered in avian practice include poor feeding management, faulty diets, and birds suffering from disease or trauma and in need of nutritional support. Energy intakes may be inadequate or excessive. Diets may be lacking in vitamins A and D3, calcium, iodine, or essential amino acids. Other problems, such as zinc or iron toxicoses, myopathies, feather loss or depigmentation, and generalized poor doing, may be linked to nutrition. The challenge of nutritional intervention in companion birds is met by using principles of comparative nutrition, with knowledge from studies in psittacine and passerine birds, melded with clinical judgement and ex- perience.
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The reptile veterinarian should approach the breeder with a comprehensive plan involving a review of proper husbandry, nutrition, record keeping, and a thorough prebreeding evaluation of the snakes. In addition, an evaluation of the... more
The reptile veterinarian should approach the breeder with a comprehensive plan involving a review of proper husbandry, nutrition, record keeping, and a thorough prebreeding evaluation of the snakes. In addition, an evaluation of the reproductive strategy, assistance with confirming and monitoring gestation, and a review of potential reproductive complications will help to prepare the snake owner for a successful breeding season.
Research Interests: Reproduction, Biology, Medicine, Animal Husbandry, Female, and 4 moreAnimals, Male, Snakes, and Veterinary Sciences
The popularity of reptiles has increased tremendously in the last 2 decades. Over this time, many species of lizards have become routinely available, and their uniqueness and personality have resulted in their becoming mainstream pets.... more
The popularity of reptiles has increased tremendously in the last 2 decades. Over this time, many species of lizards have become routinely available, and their uniqueness and personality have resulted in their becoming mainstream pets. With so many species of lizards (>3000 species), it is difficult for the reptile clinician to be familiar with each species that is presented. This paper will provide the veterinarian with a reference for the most common problems seen in common species or groups of lizards. The number of conditions and syndromes described for these lizard species will increase as we continue to see more of these patients in practice and to share our clinical experiences, and as diagnostic capabilities improve. The complexity of care necessary for these diverse lizard species is at the root of most problems seen with pet lizards. A primary goal is to improve husbandry by attempting to provide a captive environment and diet that is similar to the natural history of the lizard. References for the natural history, husbandry, and captive breeding information for the species of lizards described in this paper are cited in the initial heading for each species.
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Research Interests: Biology, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Anesthesia, PLoS one, and 4 moreReflex, Midazolam, Anesthetic, and Sedative
Research Interests: Zoology, Biology, Panama, Iguanidae, Anolis, and 3 moreLizard, Sexual maturity, and Ecological Applications
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The seasonal reproductive cycle of male and female copperheads were studied via dissections of 90 museum specimens and road-killed animals. Males average significantly larger than females. Monthly samples of testis mass (adjusted for... more
The seasonal reproductive cycle of male and female copperheads were studied via dissections of 90 museum specimens and road-killed animals. Males average significantly larger than females. Monthly samples of testis mass (adjusted for variation in body mass) were minimal in spring samples, exhibited peak masses in August and September and regressed in October. Histological analyses revealed concordance between the adjusted testis mass cycle and monthly variation in adjusted seminiferous tubule diameter. Peak spermiogenesis occurred in July and August. Epididymis diameters were larger in late summer and fall than in spring samples. Only 45% of the female sample was mature. Vitellogenic follicles were found only in spring samples and ovulation occurs in late-May to early-June. Partuition typically occurs in September and early-October. Litter size was log-normally and positively related to female body size. Mean litter size was 7.1
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Four green iguanas scheduled for euthanasia were used to compare the extent of collateral tissue damage associated with CO2 laser and 4·0 MHz radiosurgery. The iguanas were anaesthetised and a series of three skin and three muscle... more
Four green iguanas scheduled for euthanasia were used to compare the extent of collateral tissue damage associated with CO2 laser and 4·0 MHz radiosurgery. The iguanas were anaesthetised and a series of three skin and three muscle incisions was made by 4·0 MHz radiosurgery (0·18 mm wire electrode, 25 W, cut mode) and CO2 laser (0·3 mm ceramic tip, 15 W focused beam super‐pulse mode), and three incisions were made with a scalpel blade as controls. Following euthanasia, a total of 60 skin and 36 muscle sections were evaluated histologically. Radiosurgery and the laser both produced bloodless incisions, but radiosurgery caused significantly less collateral tissue damage in the skin (307 [97] v 386 [108] µm) and the muscle (18 [7] v 91 [15] µm).
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Coelioscopic orchiectomy was performed in 27 male turtles (25 juvenile to adult red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), one adult eastern painted turtle (Chrysems picta picta), and one juvenile male yellow‐spotted Amazon River... more
Coelioscopic orchiectomy was performed in 27 male turtles (25 juvenile to adult red‐eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), one adult eastern painted turtle (Chrysems picta picta), and one juvenile male yellow‐spotted Amazon River turtle (Podocnemis unifilis)). Orchiectomy was conducted under coelioscopic visualisation using ligation and transection of the mesorchium, or transection of the mesorchium with monopolar radiosurgical scissors. In 22 cases, bilateral orchiectomy was performed through a single incision; five turtles required bilateral incisions. All turtles recovered from anaesthesia. Nine turtles died within one year of surgery from conditions believed to be unrelated to surgery. One turtle was lost to follow‐up. Seventeen turtles remain clinically healthy one to three years postoperatively. Coelioscopic orchiectomy provides a minimally invasive method for sterilisation of male chelonians and provides excellent visualisation during surgery. This technique is a useful m...
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Abstract: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing all Heloderma spp. submissions to Northwest ZooPath from 1996 to 2019. Necropsy and biopsy specimens from 106 captive Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) and 49 captive beaded... more
Abstract: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing all Heloderma spp. submissions to Northwest ZooPath from 1996 to 2019. Necropsy and biopsy specimens from 106 captive Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) and 49 captive beaded lizards (Heloderma horridum) were reviewed. Inflammatory diseases were the most frequently diagnosed condition in Heloderma spp., and were diagnosed in 72% of all animals examined, including 76% of Gila monsters and 63% of beaded lizards. The most common cause of inflammation was bacterial infection, which was present in 52% of all Heloderma spp. with inflammation. Enterocolitis was common in Gila monsters (20%) and beaded lizards (14%), but the underlying causes were different for each species. Cryptosporidium spp. was the most common cause of enterocolitis in Gila monsters (36%) but was not identified in beaded lizards. Amoebiasis was a common cause of enterocolitis in Gila monsters (27%) and was the most common cause of enterocolitis in beaded lizar...