Analgesia and Anesthesia Information for Amphibians
Anesthesia
Amphibians must be kept moist over their entire bodies during anesthesia and recovery. Care must be taken that they do not become immersed, as this will result in drowning.
Tricaine (MS 222) - ethyl m-amino benzoate methanesulfonate (tricaine methane sulfonate)
- immerse in water with agent added:
- 1:2000 to 1:1000 for adults (i.e., 0.5-1 ml of tricaine in 1000 ml water)
- 1:3000-5000 for larvae
- induction in 5-20 minutes; maintain by moist cloth contact with MS 222 solution.
- recovery - keep at 22-26° C; takes 3-6 hours; keep moist.
Methoxyflurane - 0.5-1 ml per 1 liter jar (i.e., anesthetic-soaked cotton in chamber); results in approximately 3% anesthetic concentration.
- induction in 2 minutes; remove from chamber; provides approximately 40 minutes of anesthesia.
- recovery - keep at 22-26° C; keep moist but not immersed.
Halothane/Isoflurane - 5% in anesthetic chamber; maintain at 3%.
Sodium Pentobarbital- 60 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac.
Back to Analgesia & Anesthesia