Hypothermia Accompanying General Anesthesia in African Pygmy Hedgehogs and the Effect of Heat Retention

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the hypothermia that accompanies general anesthesia in African pygmy hedgehogs (n=5) and the occurrence of associated detrimental symptoms, as well as the effect of heat retention. For the purpose of comparison, all the hedgehogs were anesthetized under two different regimens: induction via subcutaneous injection of atropine (0.05 mg/kg), diazepam (4 mg/kg), and ketamine (50 mg/kg), followed by maintenance through the inhalation of isoflurane (2%) or induction through the inhalation of a high concentration of isoflurane gas (5%), followed by maintenance through the inhalation of a isoflurane (2%). All the hedgehogs were anesthetized, and anesthesia was maintained for 60 minutes. Without heat retention, all the hedgehogs showed clear signs of hypothermia (minimum: 29.7±0.6℃), regardless of whether they were anesthetized via injection or inhalation. Cyanosis resulting from marked cardiorespiratory depression was observed in almost all the hedgehogs. In contrast, with heat retention, all the hedgehogs experienced only a slight case of hypothermia (minimum: 32.5±0.3℃), regardless of anesthesia by injection or inhalation. The occurrence of cyanosis was greatly reduced. These findings indicate that heat retention is effective and essential in the general anesthesia of African pygmy hedgehogs.