Exotic Animal Formulary5

• Handle gently and infrequently
• Tepid (~29°C; ~85°F) water soak, 30-60 min q24h
• Rehydration—fluid therapy prn; do not administer fluids intracoelomically
• Alert, strong, stable, responsive females that are eating well will often oviposit without
further therapy if given sufficient time
• Dextrose (SC, IV) may be of value in some cases
• Calcium (see Table 4-8; only if hypocalcemic; low Ca ++ not generally a problem in
snakes)
• Ca glycerophosphate/Ca lactate (Calphosan, Glenwood) (5 mg each/mL): 5 mg/kg SC,
IM
• Ca gluconate: 100-200 mg/kg SC, IM
• Oxytocin b (see Table 4-7)
• Generally administer 1 hr after Ca ++ injection
• 1-10 U/kg IM, ICe in lizards and snakes (results are variable); 1-20 U/kg IM, IV, ICe for
chelonians
• Repeat dose q1h; response is more rapid after IV administration in turtles
• Arginine vasotocin c (Sigma Chemical) (alternative to oxytocin) (see Table 4-7)
• 0.01-1 µg/kg IV (preferred), ICe
• Dinoprostone gel (Prepodil, Upjohn) 0.9 mg/kg intracloacally followed 20 min later by
prostaglandin F 2α (Lutalyse, Zoetis) 0.6 mg/kg IM
• Propranolol 1 mg/kg followed by prostaglandin F 2α 0.025 mg/kg d
• Prostaglandin F 2α (Lutalyse, 5 mg/mL)
• 1.5 mg/kg SC in turtles
• Efficacy may improve if given 20 min after an α 2 agonist (dexmedetomidine
0.035 mg/kg or xylazine 8 mg/kg)
• Lubricate cloaca with water soluble gel
• Manual massage may be useful in some situations—avoid causing oviduct rupture or
prolapse
• Salpingotomy may be required if declining clinical condition (i.e., anorexia,
dehydration, lethargy)
a
Although most reptiles are oviparous, some, including garter snakes, water snakes, boas (not
pythons), vipers, Jackson's chameleons, horned lizards, and Solomon Island prehensile-tailed skinks
are viviparous.
b
Use only if no evidence of obstructive dystocia or broken eggs.
c
Appears to be more effective than oxytocin in many reptiles, but it is not commercially available for use
in animals.
d
Effective in healthy Sceloporus sp., did not induce oviposition in iguanas; may be effective in
chelonians.
Table 4-17
Treatment of Metabolic Bone Diseases in Reptiles. 194
Etiology
• Improper Ca:P ratio; lack of dietary Ca
• Lack of vitamin D 3
213