Abstract
Sea turtles are extremely resilient in rehabilitation settings, but euthanasia is warranted in cases of severe trauma, poor quality of life, internal fibropapillomatosis, etc. Numerous medications are available and can be administered by intravenous, intracoelomic, and intracardiac injections.1,2 Residual cardiac contractility post-administration can occur similarly to other reptiles regardless of the drug combination. Clearwater Marine Aquarium utilizes a two-step method for euthanasia in sea turtles to quickly euthanize with complete cessation of cardiac contractility.
Twenty-two juvenile and one subadult green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were humanely euthanized for internal fibropapillomatosis. Patients were manually restrained, and an intravenous injection was given into the dorsal sinus, consisting of butorphanol (0.9 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (0.09 mg/kg), and propofol (12 mg/kg). The patient was monitored for loss of palpebral reflex, then placed in dorsal recumbency, and monitored for loss of plastron sensation. Ultrasound was utilized for needle placement through the plastron for intracardiac injection of potassium chloride (2 mEq/kg) and then for cessation of cardiac movement. Landmarks were utilized for consistent and efficient placement of the ultrasound probe. Median time to loss of palpebral reflex and loss of plastron response were 1.45 minutes (range 0.1–15.25) and 3.57 minutes (range 0.35–15.4), respectively. Median time to loss of contractility was 1.77 minutes (range 0–8.8) and median total time was 10.75 minutes (range 3.12–21.45). Ultrasound videos illustrate the efficiency of the techniques. Utilizing this technique, we have improved euthanasia time as well as eliminated residual cardiac contractility in sea turtles.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the rehabilitation team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium for their care and dedication to the sea turtles.
*Presenting author
Literature Cited
1. Manire C, Norton T, Stacy B, et al. Sea Turtle Health & Rehabilitation. Plantation, FL: J. Ross Publishing Inc; 2017.
2. Leary S, Underwood W, Anthony R, et al. AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition. Schaumburg, IL: AVMA; 2020.