A. C. S. Bosso

Pharmacological restraint of captivity giant Amazonian turtle Podocnemis expansa (Testudines, Podocnemididae) with xylazine and propofol

PURPOSE Identify a technique to induce brief sedation and hypnosis in Podocnemis expansa. METHODS Twenty commercially bred P. expansa, weighing on average 1.2 +/- 0.24 kg, were subjected to two protocols: G1 was given 1.5 mg/kg IM of xylazine and 5 mg/kg IV of propofol, while G2 received 1.5 mg/kg IM of xylazine and 10 mg/kg IV of propofol. The drugs were applied, respectively, in the left thoracic member and in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic members, pelvic members and tail, easy handling and heartbeat, as well as ambient temperature and glycemic level. RESULTS A consistent hypnotic effect was recorded 49.6 +/- 22.1 seconds in G2 and after 58.2 +/- 55.1 in G1. All the animals of G2 recovered in 198 minutes, and those of G1 in 156 minutes. CONCLUSION The hypnosis achieved with these associations was satisfactory, and G1 was as efficient as G2, allowing for the pharmacological restraint for the collection of biological samples, physical examinations and minor surgeries on these species.

Association of acepromazine with propofol in giant amazon turtles Podocnemis expansa reared in captivity

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of an anesthetic association in giant amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa). METHODS Twenty healthy P. expansa of both sexes weighing between 1.0 and 1.5kg commercially bred in the Araguaia River Valley, Goias, Brazil, were separated into two groups (G1 n=10 and G2 n=10). Each group received a respective protocol: P1= acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (5 mg/kg IV) and P2 = acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (10 mg/kg IV). The acepromazine was administered in the left thoracic member and the propofol in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heartbeat. RESULTS The anesthetic induction time was the same for both protocols (P1 and P2); however the P2 effects were of a longer duration. CONCLUSION The sedation achieved with both protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory for the biological sample collection, physical examinations and minor surgeries on this species.

Association of midazolam with ketamine in giant Amazon river turtles Podocnemis expansa breed in captivity

PURPOSE Evaluate the effects of two anesthetic associations in giant Amazon river turtles (P. expansa). METHODS Twenty P. expansa, healthy, of both sexes, with weights between 1.0 and 1.5 kg of a commercial breeding facility located in the valley of the Araguaia River, Goiás, Brazil, were divided into two groups ( G1 n = 10 and G2 n = 10). Each group received a protocol being: P1 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (20 mg/kg IM) and P2 = midazolam (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (60 mg/kg IM), applied on G1 and G2, respectively. The drugs were applied in the left forelimb. The clinical parameters evaluated were: locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heart rate. These assessments were made at time 0 (immediately after injection) and times of 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after the injections. RESULTS Group 2 showed a higher heart rate than G1 and more rapid and prolonged immobilization. CONCLUSION The sedation scores obtained by these protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory, with possible pharmacological contention for collecting biological samples and physical examination in P. expansa.

The use of rocuronium in giant Amazon turtle Podocnemis expansa (Schweigger, 1812) (Testudines, Podocnemididae)

PURPOSE To determine whether rocuronium would provide safe, short-term immobilization in Podocnemis expansa. METHODS Twenty P. expansa, weighing on average 1.59 +/- 0.28 kg, were subjected to two protocols: G1 0.25 mg/kg IM of rocuronium and 0.07 mg/kg IM of neostigmine, while G2 received 0.50 mg/kg IM of rocuronium and 0.07 mg/kg IM of neostigmine. The drugs were applied, respectively, in the left and right thoracic members. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of respiratory frequency, heartbeat, righting reflex, cloacal relaxation, palpebral and pupilar reflexes, easy handling, muscle relaxation, locomotion, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic members, pelvic members and tail, ambient humidity and temperature. RESULTS They were not found statistical differences between the dosages for the majority of the assessments. G1 was as efficient as G2. A consistent neuromuscular blockade effect was recorded 12 +/- 4.21 minutes in G1 and G2. All the animals were recovered in 150 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Administration of rocuronium at dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg IM is a safe and effective adjunct to clinical proceedings or pre-anesthetics in P. expansa. Because rocuronium does not provide any analgesic or sedative effects, the duration of neuromuscular blockade without anesthesia should be minimized to avoid undue stress.

Anatomical Behavior of the Celiacomesenteric Artery of Pirarucu Arapaima gigas Cuvier, 1817 (Osteoglossiforme, Arapaimidae)

El pirarucu, pez de la familia Arapaimidae, es una de las especies mas importantes y emblematicas de la ictiofauna amazonica. Para estudiar las caracteristicas anatomicas de su sistema circulatorio, fueron utilizados 10 ejemplares de Arapaima gigas, con un longitud total media de 74 cm, provenientes de lagos del rio Araguaia, Sao Miguel do Araguaia, Goias, Brasil. A los peces se les abrio la cavidad celomatica donde se identifico y canalizo la arteria aorta dorsal, injectandose una solucion coloreada de latex sintetico. La fijacion del material se realizo con inyecciones de formol al 10%. La arteria celiacomesenterica es responsable de la irrigacion del tubo digestivo y tiene origen en las 2a, 3a y 4a arterias branquiales eferentes izquierdas. El estomago esta irrigado por la arteria celiaca y por una rama gastrica de la arteria cecal ventral. El intestino recibe ramas arteriales procedentes de la arteria celiacomesenterica y de las arterias mesentericas craneal y caudal; los ciegos dorsal y ventral estan irrigados por las arterias cecales dorsal y ventral, respectivamente