>>> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stanley Sessions [mailto:sessionss from hartwick.edu]
> Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 1:45 PM
> To: Mescher, Anthony L
> Subject: Re: [Urodeles] Anesthetics and Analgesics for Axolotls
>> Tony,
> Thanks for that. I have used benzocaine for frogs, but have not tried
> it on salamanders. Also, I've heard of using 2-phenoxy-ethanol.
>> Pura Vida,
>> Stan
> Stanley Sessions PhD
> Department of Biology
> Hartwick College
> Oneonta, NY 13820-1904
> 607-431-4764
>sessionss from hartwick.edu>>>>>>>> On Apr 2, 2010, at 1:27 PM, Mescher, Anthony L wrote:
>>> Stan,
>>>> I read with interest your reply regarding MS222 and amphibian
>> anesthesia in regeneration studies. You may have tried it too, but
>> several years ago we switched from MS222 to benzocaine (Sigma)
>> because of concerns about MS222's mutagenic and carcinogenic
>> properties. We find benzocaine to be as effective and long-lasting
>> as MS222, at the same concentrations as MS222, and buffering doesn't
>> appear to be needed even with larval amphibians.
>>>> Regarding the question of post-amputation analgesia, I agree that
>> the rapid return to normal behavior (such as eating and amplexus in
>> newts) argues against the presence of serious pain. In preparing
>> animal use forms, I have also found it useful to cite work that
>> shows very high levels of circulating beta-endorphins in newts,
>> salamanders, and larval anurans (such as Vethamany-Globus et al.
>> 1983, JEZ 227: 475-479; Vethamany-Globus et al. 1984, JEZ,232:
>> 259-267). These studies may have been superseded by now, but they
>> specifically relate to amphibian regeneration and analgesia and are
>> relevant.
>>>> Cheers!
>> Tony
>> Anthony L. Mescher, Ph.D.
>> Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology
>> Indiana University School of Medicine - Bloomington
>> Room 202, Jordan Hall
>> 1001 East Third Street
>> Bloomington, IN 47405-4401
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: urodeles-bounces from oat.bio.indiana.edu [mailto:urodeles-bounces from oat.bio.indiana.edu>> ] On Behalf Of Stanley Sessions
>> Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 11:09 AM
>> To: Jordi Cantó
>> Cc: urodeles from magpie.bio.indiana.edu>> Subject: Re: [Urodeles] Anesthetics and Analgesics for Axolotls
>>>> Axolotls (and other salamanders) do not appear to need a post-
>> amputation analgesic (other than, perhaps, keeping them cold for a
>> while). My assay is feeding: they usually commence feeding, as if
>> nothing happened, as soon as they recover from the anesthetic. I
>> don't think that would happen if they were in severe post-amputation
>> pain.
>>>> I have found nothing that comes close to MS222 for safely
>> anesthetizing axolotls or any salamander or fish (we use 0.3% for
>> newts). It is reasonably rapid (takes 15-20 minutes for adult newts),
>> gentle yet profound and long-lasting, with a steep recovery curve.
>> However, plain MS222 dissolved in water has a very low pH which can
>> cause significant discomfort to the animal (judging by the fact that
>> they thrash around). So I recommend buffering it (e.g. with 0.2%
>> sodium bicarbonate). Another advantage of (buffered) MS222 is that
>> you
>> can make a large quantity of it and keep it in the refrigerator. Warm
>> to ambient temperature (to match the water that the animal is in)
>> before using, however.
>>>> Pura Vida,
>>>> Stan
>> Stanley Sessions PhD
>> Department of Biology
>> Hartwick College
>> Oneonta, NY 13820-1904
>> 607-431-4764
>>sessionss from hartwick.edu>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Apr 18, 2009, at 4:07 AM, Jordi Cantó wrote:
>>>>> Hello Natalie,
>>>>>> Please, can I have the summary of responses to these questions:
>>>>>> 1) Do axolotls need a post leg amputation analgesic? If not why not?
>>> If they do, what sort is appropriate? For how long into the
>>> regeneration period do they require painkillers?
>>>>>> 2) Is there another anesthetic other than MS222 appropriate for
>>> anesthetising the axolotls for such an amputation?
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> --
>>> Jordi Cantó Martorell
>>> Director Servei d'Estabulari - SIAL
>>> Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
>>> SPAIN
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