Objective

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.

Study design

Prospective, randomized crossover study.

Animals

A total of eight corn snakes.

Methods

In phase I, snakes were subcutaneously administered three doses of alfaxalone (5, 10 and 15 mg kg^–1) in the cranial third of the body to determine the most effective dose. In phase II, a dose of 15 mg kg^–1 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_R), righting reflex, escape response, tail pinch, needle prick and tongue flick were monitored at baseline and 5 minute intervals until the snakes fully recovered.

Results

Duration of anesthesia differed significantly, with higher doses lasting longer than lower doses: 5 mg kg^–1 [23.8 ± 4.4 (15–30) minutes]; 10 mg kg^–1 [40.6 ± 9.4 (25–55) minutes]; and 15 mg kg^–1 [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_R 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^–1) in the cranial third versus the caudal third of the body; however, there was a significant decrease in HR and f_R at this dose, regardless of injection site.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Based on these results, alfaxalone (15 mg kg^–1) provides adequate anesthesia for brief procedures or intubation; however, additional analgesia is required for painful procedures.

中文翻译：

---

评价阿法沙酮对玉米蛇（Pantherophis guttatus）的疗效

客观的

阿法沙龙是一种流行的兽用麻醉剂；然而，对蛇类麻醉剂的研究仅限于球蟒、吊带蛇和几种澳大利亚物种。目的是评估阿法沙酮对玉米蛇（Pantherophis guttatus）的麻醉效果，玉米蛇是一种流行的宠物蛇。

学习规划

前瞻性、随机交叉研究。

动物

一共有八条玉米蛇。

方法

在第一阶段，蛇在身体的三分之一处被皮下注射三剂阿法沙酮（5、10 和 15 mg kg ^–1），以确定最有效的剂量。在第二阶段，在蛇的头部和尾部三分之一处施用15 mg kg ^–1的剂量，以确定注射部位是否影响麻醉持续时间。在基线和 5 分钟间隔监测心率 (HR)、呼吸频率 ( f _R )、翻正反射、逃逸反应、尾捏、针刺和舌轻弹，直到蛇完全恢复。

结果

麻醉持续时间有显着差异，较高剂量比较低剂量持续时间更长：5 mg kg ^–1 [23.8 ± 4.4 (15–30) 分钟]；10 mg kg ^–1 [40.6 ± 9.4 (25–55) 分钟]；和 15 mg kg ^–1 [56.9 ± 8.4 (50–70) 分钟]，平均值 ± 标准偏差（范围）。尾夹反射在第 1 阶段并未完全消失。f _R随时间发生显着变化，但这与剂量无关。HR 没有因时间或剂量而异。在身体的头三分之一处和尾部三分之一处施用阿法沙酮 (15 mg kg ^–1 )后，麻醉持续时间没有差异；然而，HR 和f _R显着下降 在此剂量下，无论注射部位如何。

结论和临床相关性

基于这些结果，阿法沙酮 (15 mg kg ^–1 ) 为简短的手术或插管提供了足够的麻醉；然而，疼痛的手术需要额外的镇痛。