Abstract

Desflurane has not been investigated in sea turtles and its reduced solubility may shorten anesthetic recovery time. Study objectives were characterization of desflurane use in sea turtles using two induction protocols. Using a crossover design and 1 week washout, six juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were induced with intravenous alfaxalone 5 mg/kg (A) or ketamine 5 mg/kg and dexmedetomidine 25 mcg/kg (KD), intubated, and administered desflurane in 100% oxygen to effect for 60 minutes. Delivered desflurane concentration was adjusted to maintain a medium plane of anesthesia. Ventilation was controlled at 2 breaths/minute until extubation. Following extubation, any turtle apneic for 60 minutes was reintubated. Collected data included induction and recovery timing, sedation scores, heart rate, and inspired and expired gas concentrations. Data were compared between groups (p<0.05). Median (range) expired desflurane concentration at end-exposure in A and KD was 11.28 (7.74–12.08) and 9.64 (7.86–10.04), respectively (p=0.1797). While mean + SD time to extubation was significantly shorter in A (26.6+8.5 min) versus KD (85.8+30.2 min) (p=0.001), mean + SD time from inhalant cessation to successful return to water was not significantly different at 89.1+26.3 (A) and 118.3+26.3 (KD) minutes (p=0.0839). Three turtles in A required reintubation. Heart rate remained within acceptable limits and no morbidity or mortality occurred. Desflurane was effective for anesthetic maintenance in green turtles and, following either induction protocol, produced a clinically short time to extubation and return to water.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Megan Cabot, Kyra Knutson, Maria Serrano, and Jean Beasley and the volunteers at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for their assistance with this study.

*Presenting author
⁺Student presenter