Exotic Animal Formulary5

Table 4-14
Guidelines for Tracheal/Pulmonary and Colonic Lavage in Reptiles. 19,251,278
Snakes
Tracheal/pulmonary
lavage
Anesthesia often not necessary in debilitated animals; pass red
rubber catheter through glottis to premeasured distance; infuse
with 5-10 mL/kg of tepid (29°C, 85°F), sterile 0.9% saline;
massage and rock the snake’s body to loosen debris; aspirate
Colonic lavage Pass lubricated soft red rubber catheter into cloaca; infuse with 10-
20 mL/kg of tepid (29°C, 85°F), sterile saline; massage coelomic
cavity and gently aspirate
Lizards
Tracheal/pulmonary
lavage
Colonic lavage
General anesthesia is typically necessary; if possible, intubate with
sterile endotracheal tube; pass sterile catheter inside lumen
(premeasure distance to sample site); infuse 5-10 mL/kg of tepid
(29°C, 85°F), sterile 0.9% saline and aspirate several times; not
all fluid will be recovered
Pass lubricated soft red rubber catheter into cloaca without
excessive force; infuse 10 mL/kg of tepid (29°C, 85°F), sterile
saline and gently aspirate several times
Chelonians
Tracheal/pulmonary
lavage
Colonic lavage
Sedation or anesthesia usually necessary; intubate with sterile
endotracheal tube if possible; pass radiomarked catheter into
affected lung lobe; may be helpful to bend it in the direction of
the lobe prior to insertion, though location cannot be assured
without orthogonal radiographic evidence of placement; infuse
with tepid (29°C, 85°F), sterile saline at 5-10 mL/kg; gently
aspirate
Pass lubricated red rubber catheter into cloaca; infuse with tepid
(29°C, 85°F), sterile saline at no more than 10 mL/kg; gently
aspirate; repeat several times
Table 4-15
Venipuncture Sites Commonly Used in Reptiles. a,148,152,321,372,385
Snakes
Ventral caudal
vein
Heart
Ventral aspect of tail caudal to cloaca under central scute; avoid
hemipenes and anal sacs, can be difficult to collect from in boas,
pythons, anacondas; may in rare cases lead to tail necrosis/paresis
Dorsal recumbency; insertion of needle under central abdominal scale at
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