Reptile anaesthesia and analgesia

Abstract

Anaesthesia and analgesia in reptiles is not more difficult than in any other veterinary species. However, general practitioners often lose the opportunity to perform different procedures in snakes, lizards, chelonians and crocodilians because they may feel uncomfortable with anaesthesia and analgesia of these patients. It is unfortunately common for veterinary surgeons, even those seeing reptiles on a regular basis, to under-use analgesics in reptile patients ( Read, 2004 ). This article will guide practitioners on performing proper and safe anaesthetic procedures, and will discuss the developing science of reptile analgesia.