snakedude_03
09-04-02, 07:26 PM
<center>The Toronto Star </center>
<center>Friday, August 30, 2002</center>
<P>
<center>Snake oil</center>
<P>
Even reptiles recoil at the smell of hospitals, partly because the scent of the most widely used anesthetic for reptiles seems to be downright unpleasant to these animals. In fact, when they catch a whiff, they're so surprised that they hold their breath, sometimes for more then 15 minutes. And if taht happens before surgery, they don't go to sleep right away, leaving the anesthetist and the patient staring at each other instead of getting the job done.
Now, researchers, including University of Guelf pathology professor Dale Smith, are looking into an inhalant anesthetic called sevoflurane, which is being used more frequently in humans, and has many desirable properties for use in reptiles. In particular, its lack of smell can help put reptiles to sleep faster. The new inhalant agent has also shown positive effects in dogs, horses and birds.
"We're attemping to find safer and more effective drug combinations that can be applied to reptiles," says Smith.
<center>Friday, August 30, 2002</center>
<P>
<center>Snake oil</center>
<P>
Even reptiles recoil at the smell of hospitals, partly because the scent of the most widely used anesthetic for reptiles seems to be downright unpleasant to these animals. In fact, when they catch a whiff, they're so surprised that they hold their breath, sometimes for more then 15 minutes. And if taht happens before surgery, they don't go to sleep right away, leaving the anesthetist and the patient staring at each other instead of getting the job done.
Now, researchers, including University of Guelf pathology professor Dale Smith, are looking into an inhalant anesthetic called sevoflurane, which is being used more frequently in humans, and has many desirable properties for use in reptiles. In particular, its lack of smell can help put reptiles to sleep faster. The new inhalant agent has also shown positive effects in dogs, horses and birds.
"We're attemping to find safer and more effective drug combinations that can be applied to reptiles," says Smith.