Evaluation of Feeding Behavior as an Indicator of Pain in Snakes

James, Lauren E.; Williams, Catherine J.; Bertelsen, Mads F.; Wang, Tobias

doi:10.1638/2016-0064.1

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, a separate study observed delayed feeding in snakes following noxious stimuli (surgical incision and capsaicin injection) under GA compared with a control group, reflecting cessation in normal behaviour as an indicator of pain or discomfort. 28 The same results were previously reported in red-eared slider turtles. 29 In this case, the owner reported a return of normal appetite as well as return of normal behaviour.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Use of bupivacaine‐infused absorbable gelatin haemostatic sponge following eye enucleation in a corn snake

Gomez-Martinez

Kumaratunga

Khenissi

2022

Vet Record Case Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 9‐year‐old, male, 0.69 kg, corn snake was referred for enucleation of its right eye. Pre‐anaesthetic medication consisted of butorphanol (1 mg/kg) and alfaxalone (10 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Orotracheal intubation was then performed. General anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in 100% oxygen. During the general anaesthesia, the snake was manually ventilated. At the end of the surgery, the orbit was packed with a haemostatic sponge soaked in 0.75 mg/kg of 0.5% bupivacaine. Meloxicam (0.4 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously as a part of the multimodal analgesic protocol. Total anaesthetic time was 90 minutes. Following 2 minutes of sevoflurane discontinuation, the snake started moving and the trachea was extubated. The snake displayed normal behaviour, although a short period of hypothermia was suspected in recovery. No other complications were encountered. The snake was discharged 4 hours after the end of surgery; meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was prescribed once daily, orally, for 14 days.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Use of bupivacaine‐infused absorbable gelatin haemostatic sponge following eye enucleation in a corn snake

Gomez-Martinez

Kumaratunga

Khenissi

2022

Vet Record Case Reports

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Reptile behaviour can be used to identify disease, injuries and stress in the same way that mammal behaviour can [7]. For example, one of the studies reviewed showed that changes in feeding behaviour were a reliable indicator of pain in the ball python ( Python regius ), as those in pain showed delayed feeding [39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Given the Cold Shoulder: A Review of the Scientific Literature for Evidence of Reptile Sentience

Lambert¹,

Carder

D’Cruze

2019

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Simple SummaryReptiles are popular pets around the world, although their welfare requirements in captivity are not always met, due in part to an apparent lack of awareness of their needs. Herein, we searched a selection of the scientific literature for evidence of, and explorations into, reptile sentience. We used these findings to highlight: (1) how reptiles are recognised as being capable of a range of feelings; (2) what implications this has for the pet trade; and (3) what future research is needed to help maximise their captive welfare. We found 37 studies that assumed reptiles to be capable of the following emotions and states; anxiety, stress, distress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain, and suffering. We also found four articles that explored and found evidence for the capacity of reptiles to feel pleasure, emotion, and anxiety. These findings have direct implications for how reptiles are treated in captivity, as a better understanding of their sentience is critical in providing them with the best quality of life possible.AbstractWe searched a selection of the scientific literature to document evidence for, and explorations into reptile sentience. The intention of this review was to highlight; (1) to what extent reptile capability for emotions have been documented in the scientific literature; (2) to discuss the implications this evidence has for the trade in reptiles; and (3) to outline what future research is needed to maximise their captive welfare needs. We used 168 keywords associated with sentience, to search through four journal databases and one open-access journal. We recorded studies that explored sentience in reptiles and those that recognised reptile sentience in their experiments. We found that reptiles were assumed to be capable of the following emotions and states; anxiety, distress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain, stress, and suffering, in 37 articles. We also found four articles that explored and found evidence for the capacity of reptiles to feel pleasure, emotion, and anxiety. These findings show that reptiles are considered to be capable of experiencing a range of emotions and states. This has implications for how reptiles are treated in captivity, as a better understanding could help to inform a range of different operational initiatives aimed at reducing negative animal welfare impacts, including improved husbandry and consumer behaviour change programmes.

show abstract

“…However, signs of such disorders, for example, gross swelling of the abdomen or diarrhea, were not observed. Snake that produced pellets did not express any symptoms of pain or stress, for example, ceased food intake ( James et al. 2017 ) and fecal samples did not exhibit any signs of parasitic infestation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%