title: Alfaxalone versus alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine anaesthesia by immersion in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine a dexmedetomidine concentration, to be added to an alfaxalone-based bath solution, that will enhance the anaesthetic and analgesic effects of alfaxalone; and to compare the quality of anaesthesia and analgesia provided by immersion with either alfaxalone alone or alfaxalone with dexmedetomidine in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pilot study followed by a prospective, randomized, experimental trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen oriental fire-bellied toads.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pilot study aimed to identify a useful dexmedetomidine concentration to be added to an anaesthetic bath containing 20 mg 100 mL(-1) alfaxalone. Thereafter, the toads were assigned to one of two groups, each comprising eight animals, to be administered either alfaxalone (group A) or alfaxalone-dexmedetomidine (group AD). After immersion for 20 minutes, the toads were removed from the anaesthetic bath and the righting, myotactic and nociceptive reflexes, cardiopulmonary variables and von Frey filaments threshold were measured at 5 minute intervals and compared statistically between groups. Side effects and complications were noted and recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the pilot study, a dexmedetomidine concentration of 0.3 mg 100 mL(-1) added to the alfaxalone-based solution resulted in surgical anaesthesia. The toads in group AD showed higher von Frey thresholds and lower nociceptive withdrawal reflex scores than those in group A. However, in group AD, surgical anaesthesia was observed in two out of eight toads only, and induction of anaesthesia was achieved in only 50% of the animals, as compared with 100% of the toads in group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of dexmedetomidine to an alfaxalone-based solution for immersion anaesthesia provided some analgesia in oriental fire-bellied toads, but failed to potentiate the level of unconsciousness and appeared to lighten the depth of anaesthesia. This limitation renders the combination unsuitable for anaesthetizing oriental fire-bellied toads for invasive procedures.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Division, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adami
authors.affiliation: Freelance Veterinarian, Arzano, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: d'Ovidio
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Division, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casoni
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D011277:Pregnanediones; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; C006477:alphaxalone
keywords: alfaxalone; anaesthesia; dexmedetomidine; immersion technique; toads