Effects of intranasal Midazolam in green iguanas (Iguana iguana)

• Grant number: 21/04210-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Adriano Bonfim Carregaro
• Grantee: Bruna Maria Sarri
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) has been considered one of the most frequent reptiles as an exotic pet companion. Studies about clinical and surgical procedures and also conditions that provide worthy chemical restraint in this species have been increasing in the same direction. This study aims to assess the sedative effect of three different doses of midazolam when administered intranasally in green iguanas. Six mature green iguanas, male or female, with 6-years of age and between 600 and 1100 gr body weight will be enrolled. All animals will give five different treatments: 2 mg/kg midazolam (MIN2), 4 mg/kg midazolam (MIN4), 6 mg/kg midazolam (MIN6), and 1 mL of 0.9% NaCl (CON), all of them given by intranasal route, and 2 mg/kg midazolam (MIM) given by intramuscular route. The treatments will be carried out randomly, respecting a minimum 15-day washout and the evaluators will be unaware of them. Sedation will be assessed by means of a specific behavioral score for green iguanas, which considers muscle tone, eye-opening, head height, body righting reflex, and handling permissiveness. Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and non-invasive blood pressure will be assessed as well. Time points will be carried out at minute 0 (immediately before treatment), 10, 20, 30, 60, and every 30 minutes up to 300 minutes after treatments. It will be expected that at least one dose of midazolam, administered intranasally, achieve sedation in green iguanas, with a minimal cardiorespiratory impact, making this route an alternative to the administration of the drug in this species. (AU)