Chemical Immobilization of Python – A Case Report [Abstract]

M.G. Jayathangaraj¹, N.S. Manoharan², V. Krishnamoorthy³ and M.C. John⁴

¹IWHC coordinator-Southern region and Associate Professor, Dept. of Wildlife Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600 007, INDIA; ²Veterinarian, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai – 48; ³Veterinary officer (Ret’d ), Forest dept. , Tamilnadu and Elephant specialist, Chennai; ⁴Professor and Head, Dept. of Wildlife Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007

Abstract. A captive python was brought from nearby Snake Park to Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai for clinical intervention and the decision was made to immobilize the python for surgical intervention. The weight of the python was 10.5 Kg. Chemical immobilization was carried out by the zoo veterinarian using ketamine at a total dose rate of 150 mg administered by intramuscularly at regions posterior to the cloaca. The effects of chemical immobilization with ketamine were documented. One incremental dose of 50mg of ketamine was administered after 19 minutes of the initial dosing. The tail movements during the lifting of the python and the movements of the head rather than the movements of the whole body, were found to be better clinical assessment features of chemical immobilization in this large-sized python. Though the tail movements started freely at the end of two hours, the python was said to have regained all reflexes without any hindrance after thirteen hours of administration of the drug.

This Page Last Updated October 16, 2000

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