Use of a nerve locator to facilitate administration of mandibular nerve blocks in crocodilians.
As part of a clinical workup of dental problems in a large crocodilian collection, mandibular nerve blocks were performed in the animals. A nerve locator was used to facilitate placement of the nerve blocks in American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), and a dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis). Provision of analgesia is a frequently underused aspect of patient care in reptiles. Use of a nerve stimulator provides an objective measurement of nerve conduction blockade and may be useful in exotic species in which anatomic landmarks for nerve block placement are not well established.
Wellehan
James F X
JF
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Gunkel
Cornelia I
CI
Kledzik
David
D
Robertson
Sheilah A
SA
Heard
Darryl J
DJ
D000489:Alligators and Crocodiles / Q000502:physiology; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*