Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Departments of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2024 Jan;54(4):738-745. doi: 10.1638/2022-0162.
Snakes are common household pets and frequently managed in zoos. Geriatric snakes commonly develop osteoarthritis, leading to a declining quality of life that often results in euthanasia. Anecdotally, the application of transdermal fentanyl patches (TFP) appears to contribute to clinical improvement, including increased activity level, in osteoarthritic snakes presumed to be in pain. This study evaluated serum fentanyl concentrations over time and the effects of TFP on the normal behavior of healthy, captive, adult corn snakes () using constant video monitoring. Serum fentanyl concentrations were evaluated over 4 wk during 12.5 µg/h TFP application, and the results demonstrated long-lasting (>4 wk) serum concentrations that were consistent with analgesic efficacy in mammalian species during TFP application. At 4 wk of TFP application, mean serum fentanyl concentrations were 11.5 ± 5.5 ng/ml. Snakes were videotaped for 1 wk prior to and 2 wk after 12.5 µg/h TFP application, and behavior was evaluated by an ethogram. Behavioral changes associated with TFP application included decreased mean time spent active, decreased mean number of climbs, and decreased mean number of water visits; feeding behavior was unchanged. Overall, these results suggest that TFP application may provide safe, clinically effective analgesia in healthy corn snakes for at least 4 wk without inducing deleterious side effects, and may therefore be appropriate analgesia for management of osteoarthritic snakes.
蛇是常见的家庭宠物，经常在动物园中饲养。老年蛇常患骨关节炎，导致生活质量下降，往往导致安乐死。据推测，贴皮芬太尼贴片（TFP）的应用有助于改善骨关节炎蛇的临床症状，包括增加活动水平，这些蛇被认为有疼痛。本研究使用持续视频监测，评估了一段时间内血清芬太尼浓度以及 TFP 对健康、圈养成年玉米蛇正常行为的影响。在 12.5 µg/h TFP 应用期间，评估了 4 周的血清芬太尼浓度，结果表明，在 TFP 应用期间，血清浓度持续时间长（>4 周），与哺乳动物物种的镇痛效果一致。在 TFP 应用 4 周时，平均血清芬太尼浓度为 11.5 ± 5.5 ng/ml。在应用 12.5 µg/h TFP 前后的 1 周和 2 周，对蛇进行了录像，并通过行为图表评估了行为。与 TFP 应用相关的行为变化包括平均活跃时间减少、平均攀爬次数减少和平均饮水次数减少；摄食行为没有变化。总的来说，这些结果表明，TFP 应用可能为健康的玉米蛇提供至少 4 周的安全、临床有效的镇痛作用，而不会引起有害的副作用，因此可能适合治疗骨关节炎蛇。
