Today I worked on a Giant Horned Lizard. These are large spined lizards that are known for eating ants and squirting blood from their eyes as a means of defense. This animal came up in a stupor-like condition. It had also lost a significant amount of weight. The initial treatment involved giving subcutaneous fluids to improve its hydration. Subcutaneous fluids, abbreviated SQ, can be easily given to animals that have redundant skin; many species don't have a lot of extra skin for SQ access. Lizards can be given SQ fluids, although they tend to have limited space and inflexible skin. Additionally, lizards and snakes have scales, scutes and armor making injections more challenging. SQ injections should be made between scutes and scales if possible, and sometimes in multiple sites. When SQ injections are not feasible, injections can be made directly into the abdominal region; this is call an intracoelomic injection and is analogous to an intraperitoneal injection in mammals.
This is interesting, seeing how I missed that question about SQ fluids on snakes from the quiz yesterday, oops! So snakes do not have SQ space for fluids? I am still quite confused about this. I understand the more feasible option would be intracoelomic but what reptile species is it possible to give a somewhat substantial amount of fluids or SQ medications to?
ReplyDeleteP.S. These lizards are so cool! :)
Many species of animals have surprisingly little SQ space when compared to those we are accustom to, ie. dogs and cats. Basically it comes down to redundant tissue, and snakes and lizards don't have a lot of it. That being said, I have always been able to find places to give SQ's on any species including reptiles. Fluids tend not to disperse under their skin, so multiple infusion sites are often required. For perspective, at one time we were administering 1 liter of SQ's to a 16ft Anaconda; this required severl site, but the job got done! Intracoelomic fluids, or intraperitoneal fluids in mammals is a viable option, however, care should be taken not to puncture or traumatize internal organs.
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