Abstract
The initial goal of this study was to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) for isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) for crested serpent eagle. Next we compared the anesthetic effects of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values and behavior in spontaneously breathing captive adult crested serpent eagles. Sixteen Eagles were randomly allocated two groups for anesthesia with ISO (n=8) or SEVO (n=8). First, we measured the ISO or SEVO of MAC value, and four weeks later investigated the effect of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit (HCT) and plasma chemistry values. The MAC of ISO and SEVO for crested serpent eagles were 1.46 ± 0.30% and 2.03 ± 0.32%, respectively. The results revealed no significant differences between the two anesthetics in induction time, while time of extubation to recovery was significantly shorter with SEVO. Time-related increase of end-tidal CO2, decreases in body temperature and respiratory rates were observed during anesthesia with each anesthetic. There were no significant differences between the effect of the two anesthetics on heart rate, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values, or respiration although each caused minor respiratory depression. We concluded that SEVO is a more effective inhalant agent than ISO for use in eagles showing the most rapid induction and recovery from anesthesia.
