# Comparison of Two Intravenous Propofol Doses after Jugular Administration for Short Non-Surgical Procedures in Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)

## TL;DR

This study finds that 10 mg/kg of propofol is more effective than 5 mg/kg for inducing anesthesia in red-eared sliders during short procedures.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on optimal propofol dosing for jugular intravenous anesthesia in red-eared sliders.

## Key findings

- The 10 mg/kg propofol dose induced sufficient anesthesia and allowed intubation in most turtles.
- The 5 mg/kg dose was ineffective for anesthesia induction and did not allow intubation.
- Heart rate was affected by catheter placement but not by propofol doses.

## Abstract

Anesthesia in red-eared sliders is necessary both for surgical procedures and for imaging techniques. Propofol is a nonbarbiturate anesthetic agent used for induction in many species and should be administered intravenously. Jugular intravenous cannulas provide safe access with the least lymph contamination for anesthetic administration. In this study, red-eared sliders were anesthetized with 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg propofol administered in the jugular veins. Our results indicate that the 10 mg/kg dose is efficient for inducing anesthesia for short non-painful procedures, whereas the 5 mg/kg dose did not prove to be enough for anesthetic induction.

This study compares the effects of two different doses of propofol administered intravenously (IV), in the jugular vein, to red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). In this crossover study, 5 or 10 mg/kg propofol was administered to six Trachemys scripta elegans after cannulation of the jugular vein. Each turtle received each dose, G1 (5 mg/kg IV) and G2 (10 mg/kg IV), after a 7-day washout period. The parameters evaluated were heart rate, palpebral reflex, cloacal reflex, muscle relaxation, ease of handling, sensitivity to anterior and posterior pinch stimuli, and possibility of intubation. Additionally, respiratory rate was measured when possible, and the times from propofol administration to full recovery and from intubation to extubation were recorded. None of the turtles in G1 could be intubated, and this dose provided little relaxation and ease of handling, with a duration of effect until full recovery of 12.16 ± 8.32 (SD) min for this group. In G2, five out of the six turtles could be intubated, and the duration of effect was 32.33 ± 5.85 (SD) min. Heart rates were influenced by manipulation for catheter placement. There were statistically significant differences (p value ≤ 0.05) between the two groups in muscle relaxation degree, handling, cloacal reflex, and possibility of intubation. The 5 mg/kg propofol dose was not sufficient to induce anesthesia, even when administered in the jugular vein, in red-eared sliders. A dose of 10 mg/kg IV or higher should be used.