Use of rocuronium for endotracheal intubation of North American Gulf Coast box turtles

Gretchen E Kaufman; Rosemarie E Seymour; Barbara B Bonner; Michael H Court; Alicia Z Karas

doi:10.2460/javma.2003.222.1111

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Journal article

Use of rocuronium for endotracheal intubation of North American Gulf Coast box turtles

Gretchen E Kaufman, Rosemarie E Seymour, Barbara B Bonner, Michael H Court and Alicia Z Karas

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol.222(8), pp.1111-1115

04/15/2003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2003.222.1111

Handle:

https://hdl.handle.net/2376/114066

PMID: 12710776

Abstract

Prospective Studies

Blinking - drug effects

Neuromuscular Blockade - methods

Rocuronium

Immobilization

Male

Treatment Outcome

Androstanols - administration & dosage

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug

Intubation, Intratracheal - veterinary

Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents - administration & dosage

Heart Rate - drug effects

Animals, Wild

Animals

Turtles - physiology

Time Factors

Neuromuscular Blockade - veterinary

Injections, Intramuscular - veterinary

Female

Safety

To determine whether rocuronium, a reversible neuromuscular blocking agent, would provide safe, short-term immobilization to facilitate endotracheal intubation in turtles. Prospective study. 30 healthy adult Gulf Coast box turtles. Turtles were given rocuronium, and responses were recorded every 3 minutes. Times to onset of effects, intubation, and recovery were recorded and analyzed for associations with dose and patient characteristics to determine an optimal dose range. Neostigmine and glycopyrrolate were given to augment recovery from neuromuscular blockade. Rocuronium administered at a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg (0.11 to 0.23 mg/lb), IM, permitted intubation; lower doses were not effective. Mean +/- SD time to loss of the palpebral reflex was 6.4 +/- 4.0 minutes, and mean time to intubation was 9.2 +/- 6.4 minutes. Mean time to return of the palpebral reflex was 44 +/- 13.2 minutes, and mean time to walking was 55 +/- 16.6 minutes. Time to onset of effects was not associated with dose, but recovery times were prolonged with higher doses of rocuronium. Cardiac arrhythmias were observed in 13 (43%) turtles. Administration of rocuronium at a dose of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg is a safe and effective adjunct to general anesthesia in Gulf Coast box turtles. Because rocuronium does not provide any analgesic or sedative effects, the duration of neuromuscular blockade without anesthesia should be minimized to avoid undue distress.

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Title: Use of rocuronium for endotracheal intubation of North American Gulf Coast box turtles
Creators: Gretchen E Kaufman - Department of Environmental and Population Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
Rosemarie E Seymour
Barbara B Bonner
Michael H Court
Alicia Z Karas
Publication Details: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol.222(8), pp.1111-1115
Academic Unit: Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Department of; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health
Publisher: United States
Grant note: DK07635 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Identifiers: 99900548267001842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Use of rocuronium for endotracheal intubation of North American Gulf Coast box turtles

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