My wife and I come across a lot of sick animals with our rescue. Sometimes some of them are in need of some major work that I can do here without going to a vet. I was wondering if anyone out there knew how to sedate a reptile, both snakes and lizards. I currently have a Savannah Monitor that needs a whole lot of work but he keeps trying to bite me and run away every time. If it is not possible to do or not safe to do then I will just have to keep using the vet. I was just hoping to find a way to sedate and do the work I myself know how to do to try and keep the vet costs down as much as possible. Thanks guys.

Without proper monitoring equipment necessary for anesthesia sedation, I would not attempt to do this myself. Sorry but your best bet is to see a vet.

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MARSHA
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I agree with Marsha, if more is needed then just wrapping the animal in a towel a vet should be consulted.

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I'm going to agree with the others, sedation can be very tricky in reptiles since they have such slow metabolisms. I would ask your vet if they have any at home suggestions, but ideally you should probably leave it to the trained professionals.

What kind of 'work' are you talking about doing on your monitor, maybe someone has some tricks to make it easier on the both of you.

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There are a lot of wounds that I would like to inspect. That is why wrapping it in a towel does not work so well. I do not want to end up killing anything, so I will just not do that. I was just hoping that there was a way to kind of put it to sleep for a little bit so that I can get a closer inspection of it, but he is so feisty I can't really get a good look.

If closer inspection is needed wait until night and he is resting, use a digital camera with flash, be very quite and snap some pics of the area. I have done this on many occasions with critters that wouldn't hold still. It may sound crazy, but it worked with a Nile Monitor I had that did not want to be handled. It may not be perfect but it can give you a closer look without stressing the animal.

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well maybe you could cool him down because reptiles are cold blooded and when they get cold they get really sluggish.

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I do not recommend cooling him to the point he becomes sluggish. That is not a safe idea, you open yourself up for many problems! I have been doing reptile rescue for years, and have always used a vet when it comes to sedation. Vitals have to be monitored, that is a must. It really is no different than you having surgery, when they sedate you, you have an anesthesiologist monitoring your vitals all the time, and doctors available to step in if you crash.

In reptile rescue, unexpected things come up. Very expensive things, it is always good to be prepared.

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I have to agree with Nicole on this one. It would be too risky.

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Kat

No cooling!

The 'looking while he's sleeping' idea is great though, I wish I had come up with it!

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