Amphibians must be kept moist over their entire bodies during anesthesia and recovery. Care must be taken that they do not become immersed, as this will result in drowning.
Tricaine (MS 222) -ethyl m-amino benzoate methanesulfonate (tricaine methane sulfonate)
Should be buffered to neutral pH before use. MS222 must be disposed as chemical waste.
Immerse in water with agent added: 1:2000 to 1:1000 for adults (i.e.,5-10mg of tricaine in 1000 ml water)
1:3000 to 1:5000 for larvae
Induction in 5-20 minutes; maintain by moist cloth contact with MS 222 solution.
Recovery - keep at 22-26oC; takes 3-6 hours; keep moist.
Benzocaine 100 mg/1000 ml water
Halothane/Isoflurane - 5% in anesthetic chamber; maintain at 3%.
Sodium Pentobarbital- 60 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac.
Chlorpromazine 32 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac
Chlordiazepoxide 90 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac
Buprenorphine, C-V 14 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac
Diphenhydramine 51 mg/kg; inject into dorsal lymph sac
Because fish breathe through gills rather than lungs, anesthesia must be delivered through an aquatic medium. Most fish induced by adding the anesthetic agent to the tank water. It is important to have two separate tanks; one for anesthesia and one for recovery. Water for anesthesia should be well aerated to provide adequate oxygen and minimize the stress of induction. Food should be withheld for several hours prior to induction.
Tricaine (MS 222) -ethyl m-amino benzoate methanesulfonate (tricaine methane sulfonate).
Should be buffered to neutral pH before use. MS222 must be disposed as chemical waste.
Immerse in water with agent added; doses vary according to species:
1:20,000 (50 mg/liter) for tranquilization
1:10,000 (100 mg/liter) for surgical anesthesia
Induction occurs within 3 minutes, recovery takes 10-15 minutes after removal. Benzocaine 20-30 mg/1000 ml water for tranquilization, 50 mg/1000 ml water for surgical anesthesia. Etomidate is an analog of propoxate and provides sedation only. It should not be used for procedures requiring surgical anesthesia. 0.05 -0.5 mg/1000 ml for tranquilization during transportation 2-4 mg/1000 ml for sedation