Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Vet Anaesth Analg. 2021 May;48(3):364-371. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.01.004. Epub 2021 Feb 12.
Alfaxalone is a popular veterinary anesthetic; however, research on this anesthetic in snakes has been limited to ball pythons, garter snakes and several Australian species. The objective was to evaluate the anesthetic effects of alfaxalone in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), a popular pet snake.
Prospective, randomized crossover study.
A total of eight corn snakes.
In phase I, snakes were subcutaneously administered three doses of alfaxalone (5, 10 and 15 mg kg) in the cranial third of the body to determine the most effective dose. In phase II, a dose of 15 mg kg was administered in the cranial and caudal thirds of the snakes to determine if injection site affected anesthesia duration. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (f), righting reflex, escape response, tail pinch, needle prick and tongue flick were monitored at baseline and 5 minute intervals until the snakes fully recovered.
Duration of anesthesia differed significantly, with higher doses lasting longer than lower doses: 5 mg kg [23.8 ± 4.4 (15-30) minutes]; 10 mg kg [40.6 ± 9.4 (25-55) minutes]; and 15 mg kg [56.9 ± 8.4 (50-70) minutes], mean ± standard deviation (range). The tail pinch reflex was not completely lost in phase 1. There was a significant change in f over time, but this was not related to dose. HR was not different by time or dose. Duration of anesthesia was not different after administration of alfaxalone (15 mg kg) in the cranial third versus the caudal third of the body; however, there was a significant decrease in HR and f at this dose, regardless of injection site.
Based on these results, alfaxalone (15 mg kg) provides adequate anesthesia for brief procedures or intubation; however, additional analgesia is required for painful procedures.
阿尔法花醛是一种常用的兽医麻醉剂；然而，关于这种麻醉剂在蛇类中的研究仅限于球蟒、锦蛇和几种澳大利亚蛇种。本研究的目的是评估阿尔法花醛在玉米蛇（ Pantherophis guttatus ）中的麻醉效果，玉米蛇是一种常见的宠物蛇。
前瞻性、随机交叉研究。
共 8 条玉米蛇。
在第 I 期，将三种剂量的阿尔法花醛（5、10 和 15mg/kg）皮下注射到蛇的头部三分之一处，以确定最有效的剂量。在第 II 期，以 15mg/kg 的剂量注射到蛇的头部和尾部三分之一处，以确定注射部位是否影响麻醉持续时间。在基线和 5 分钟间隔时监测心率（HR）、呼吸频率（f）、翻身反射、逃避反应、尾部按压、针刺和舌弹，直到蛇完全恢复。
麻醉持续时间差异显著，高剂量组持续时间长于低剂量组：5mg/kg[23.8±4.4（15-30）分钟]；10mg/kg[40.6±9.4（25-55）分钟]；15mg/kg[56.9±8.4（50-70）分钟]，平均值±标准差（范围）。在第 1 期，尾部按压反射并未完全消失。f 随时间的变化有显著差异，但与剂量无关。HR 在时间或剂量上没有差异。在头部三分之一处给予 15mg/kg 的阿尔法花醛后，麻醉持续时间没有差异；然而，在这个剂量下，无论注射部位如何，HR 和 f 都显著下降。
根据这些结果，15mg/kg 的阿尔法花醛可提供足够的麻醉效果，适用于短暂的手术或插管；然而，对于疼痛性手术需要额外的镇痛。
