title: Alfaxalone-butorphanol versus alfaxalone-morphine combination for immersion anaesthesia in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis).
abstract: Oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) are small semi-aquatic anuran species popular as both pets and laboratory animals. Although they are commonly anaesthetized to undergo clinical and experimental procedures, very little is known about their anaesthetic management. The aims of this prospective, randomized, cross-over experimental trial were to establish effective butorphanol and morphine concentrations to be added to alfaxalone for immersion anaesthesia (pilot study), and to compare the anaesthetic and antinociceptive effects of the two drug mixtures (alfaxalone-butorphanol and alfaxalone-morphine), in Bombina orientalis toads. For the actual trial, the toads were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: AB and AM, with seven animals in each group, which received alfaxalone-butorphanol and alfaxalone-morphine combinations, respectively, at the concentrations established during the pilot study. Heart rate, respiratory rate, von Frey filament threshold and response to nociceptive withdrawal (NWR), righting and myotactic reflexes were measured at 5 min intervals until return of righting reflex was observed. The investigator who carried out all the measurements was blinded to the treatment. Any undesired effect or complication was noted and recorded. The two treatments were found to be comparable in terms of onset and duration of anaesthesia, and occurrence of undesired effects. However, group AM resulted in lower NWR scores and higher von Frey filament thresholds than group AB. It is concluded that, at the investigated concentrations and in combination with alfaxalone by immersion, morphine provides better antinociception than butorphanol in oriental fire-bellied toads.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences and Services - Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK cadami@rvc.ac.uk.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Adami
authors: Freelance Veterinarian for Exotic Species, Arzano, Naples, Italy.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: d'Ovidio
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Casoni
mesh_terms: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D011277:Pregnanediones; D009020:Morphine; C006477:alphaxalone; D002077:Butorphanol
keywords: alfaxalone; butorphanol; immersion anaesthesia; morphine; oriental fire-bellied toads