Clinical Anesthesia in Reptiles

The clinical use of anesthetic agents in reptiles presents a number of unique challenges because of the diversity of the class Reptilia with respect to natural history, size, anatomy, and physiology. Reptiles are commonly maintained as companion animals, widely displayed in zoological institutions, and many species serve as subjects in laboratory facilities. Therefore, to become a skillful clinician, developing an understanding of anesthetic efficacy across reptile species is important. The objective of this review is to provide a current perspective on the practical application of anesthetic agents in commonly maintained pet reptile species.