Alfaxalone anaesthesia in the green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term intravenous anaesthesia with alfaxalone in green iguanas ( Iguana iguana ). Alfaxalone at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg was administered to thirteen adult male green iguanas via the ventral caudal vein following 24 h fasting. The induction time, tracheal tube insertion time, surgical plane of anaesthesia interval, and full recovery time were recorded. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (measured indirectly), pulse rate, respiratory rate, SpO 2 and ETCO 2 were recorded. The induction time and tracheal tube insertion time was 41.54 ± 27.69 s and 69.62 ± 37.03 s, respectively. The time from the alfaxalone administration to the loss of toe-pinch reflex was 2.20 ± 1.47 min. Full activity was restored 14.23 ± 4.15 min after the initial alfaxalone administration. The respiratory rate increased significantly ( P < 0.01) from 4.3. ± 3.2 to 6.8 ± 1.6 breaths per min and a gradual decrease of ETCO 2 from 43.65 ± 10.54 to 26.58 ± 8.10 mmHg ( P < 0.01) was noted from the second to the 13 th min after alfaxalone administration. The pulse rate, SpO 2 and blood pressure did not change significantly. Intravenous use of alfaxalone proved to be a suitable and safe form for short term anaesthesia in green iguanas.