A comparison of anesthesia induction by two different administration routes and doses of ketamine and medetomidine in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of ketamine and medetomidine by two different doses and routes on anesthesia depth and cardiac stability in red-eared sliders. Each turtle was anesthetized two times, with seven days wash-out period. Induction of anesthesia consisted of a bolus combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.2 mg/kg) administered in the left brachial biceps in the intramuscular protocol, or a bolus combination of ketamine (20 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.2 mg/kg) administered in subcarapacial sinus after clear blood presence confirmation in the intravenous protocol. Vital signs, reaction on the skin palpation, manual mouth opening for endotracheal intubation, palpebral and cloacal reflex, and the withdrawal reflex of the front and hind limbs were measured and recorded every 5 minutes for 60 minutes after anesthesia injection. Atipamezole (1 mg/kg) was administered in the right brachial biceps one hour after ketamine and medetomidine administration. Needle insertion and possible painful reactions to drug administration were also evaluated and recorded. Obtained data were analyzed for normality and paired t-tests, Wilcoxon, or McNamar tests were performed where appropriate. The values of P ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. A significantly less pronounced decrease in heart rate was observed with intravenous anesthesia protocol. Both protocols recorded complete anesthesia recovery 60 minutes after intramuscular atipamezole administration. A ketamine-medetomidine dose combination administered intravenously provides a more stable and consistent anesthetic plane in red-eared sliders than ketamine-medetomidine administered intramuscularly.