Blood collection in chameleons is indicated in clinical cases and research studies and is commonly performed from the ventral tail vein. However, this venipuncture site can be associated with a greater degree of technical difficulty, adverse effects, and artifactual changes in the test results. The jugular vein is often suggested as a preferred alternative sampling site, but can also be technically challenging in smaller lizards. A transillumination method of the cervical region that reveals the jugular vein can be used for more accurate venipuncture, increased sampling success, as well as reduced handling time and soft tissue damage to adjacent anatomical structure. The technique described in this report can be used to collect blood from common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon).

A 5-yr-old, male Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) presented with a partial spectacle avulsion that progressed to full spectacle avulsion following ecdysis. A porcine small intestinal submucosal graft was sutured over the cornea to protect the globe and allow the spectacle to regenerate. Treatment included topical antibiotic and lubricant ophthalmic medications. The porcine small intestinal submucosal graft was shed during ecdysis 30 days after placement, revealing peripheral regeneration of the spectacle with a 1- to 2-mm crust covering a presumed central defect. At the next ecdysis 39 days later, the spectacle had completely regenerated. Application of a porcine small intestinal submucosal graft in combination with topical antibiotic and lubricant ophthalmic medications for treatment of complete spectacle avulsion was successful in allowing spectacle regeneration and was well tolerated by the rainbow boa in this case.

A 5-year-old savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) was presented for left-sided facial swelling. Examination revealed left hemi-maxilla and eyelid swelling causing caudoventral displacement of the left eye. Computed tomography (CT) of the head was conducted prior to surgical exploration, debridement, and culture of the swelling. CT images revealed a mass extending from the left retrobulbar area to the temporal muscle with extensive lysis of the epiterygoid bone resulting in compression of the brainstem. Surgical exploration allowed for partial debridement of the mass and sample collection for bacterial culture. Salmonella enterica Kintambo was isolated from the swelling and was sensitive to several antibiotics. Ceftazidime (40 mg/kg) and piperacillin (100 mg/kg) mixed with poloxamer 407 gel was subsequently injected into the swelling. Oral enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg q24h weaned to 5 mg/kg q24h) was prescribed and continued for 5 months prior to discontinuation. Over the following 5 months, external facial swelling resolved, but oral swelling persisted. Swelling of the eyelids also resolved, and it was suspected by the owner that the savannah monitor was no longer visual from that eye. Over the next 2 years, the oral swelling also completely resolved, but vision was not regained for the left eye. This case documents the resolution of a deep facial osteomyelitis lesion documented by CT images highlighting brain compression from an extracranial soft tissue mass on the squamate lateral cartilaginous braincase with resolution following local antibiotic instillation in a reptile without aggressive debridement.

Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) is required by many vertebrates to stimulate the photobiochemical synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays many important roles in the body, including assisting in the absorption of calcium at the level of the intestines. Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to the development of nutritional disease. Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are naturally nocturnal to crepuscular; therefore, it is not known whether they benefit from UVB radiation. The purpose of this study was to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations in leopard geckos exposed to short duration UVB light. Twelve adult, male leopard geckos were used for this study. Blood samples were collected from the cranial vena cava to establish baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations. Once the baseline samples were collected, the animals were randomly divided into two groups. The animals provided UVB radiation were exposed to non-UVB producing light for 12 h and UVB for 2 h, whereas animals in the control group only received non-UVB producing light for 12 h. Exposure to the UVB light occurred for 2 h per day: 1 h at 0600 h and 1 h at 1800 h to mimic dawn and dusk, respectively. An additional blood sample was collected 30 days after the initiation of UVB exposure. There was a significant difference (F = 9.7, P = 0.012) in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations between the two groups, with UVB exposed geckos having significantly higher concentrations. The results of this study demonstrate that short duration exposure to UVB light can lead to increased circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations in leopard geckos.

A prospective, randomized, crossover experimental pilot study was performed to compare the anesthetic quality and recovery times of intramuscular (IM) ketamine/medetomidine and S-ketamine/medetomidine in Testudo spp. Four adult male Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and one adult male spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) were used in this study. Each animal underwent two different anesthetic protocols twice, with a washout period of two weeks in between each anesthetic event. This resulted in 20 anesthetic procedures. Protocols consisted of 0.1 mg/kg medetomidine IM with either 15 mg/kg ketamine (KM) or 15 mg/kg S-ketamine (SKM). After 60 min, medetomidine was reversed using 0.5mg/kg atipamezole IM. Muscle relaxation, ease of handling, sensitivity to a painful stimulus, palpebral and corneal reflexes, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured every 15 min during anesthesia. Time of initial effect, maximal anesthetic effect, first movements, complete wakefulness, first feeding after anesthesia, and quality of induction and recovery periods were compared between protocols. Quality of induction and recovery were excellent with both protocols. HR decreased within the first 15 min but began to rise at 60 min. Marked bradypnea occurred at the beginning of anesthesia but gradually disappeared over time. Muscle relaxation and handling scores increased during anesthesia, whereas sensitivity scores remained 0, regardless of protocol. Pairwise comparisons showed no significant differences between KM and SKM, with the exception of the palpebral reflex at 30 min (P < 0.046). Anesthetic quality was similar using KM or SKM. Both protocols were safe and effective in Testudo spp., but analgesic effects were considered weak.

A retrospective review of sedation of lizards using dexmedetomidine-midazolam (DM) with or without ketamine administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously was performed. Forty-four sedation events, involving 25 individuals and 16 different species of lizards, were reviewed. Sedation was performed for physical examinations, imaging, biopsy collection, and wound treatments. Dexmedetomidine (median: 0.08 mg/kg, 25–75%: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg, range: 0.03–0.3 mg/kg) combined with midazolam (median: 1 mg/kg, 25–75%: 0.85–1 mg/kg, range: 0.5–2 mg/kg) was used in 11/44 (25%) sedation events. In 33/44 (75%) sedation events, ketamine (median: 2.9 mg/kg, 25–75%: 2.43–3 mg/kg range: 0.9–5 mg/kg) was administered in addition to DM. Insufficient depth of sedation was reported for 2/44 (4.5%) events. Atipamezole (10 times the milligrams dose of dexmedetomidine) and flumazenil (median: 0.05 mg/kg, 25–75%: 0.05–0.05 mg/kg, range: 0.01–0.1 mg/kg) were administered for reversal of the sedative effects of DM in all sedation events. The most common complication noted was apnea, which occurred in 2/44 (4.5%) sedation events and resolved following administration of the reversal agents.