Characterization of Current Husbandry and Veterinary Care Practices of the Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) Using an Online Survey

Abstract

Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini) (GPOs) are commonly housed in zoos or aquaria, and sedation, anesthesia, and/or euthanasia may be indicated for a variety of reasons. Despite this need, evidence-based data on best practices is limited and focuses on smaller or more tropical species. The objectives of this study were to survey the aquatic community regarding the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs, with a specific focus on anesthetic and euthanasia protocols. A two-part web-based survey was distributed to four aquatic and/or veterinary email listservs. Individuals from fifty-two institutions participated in phase one. Results documented that 40 (78 percent) participating institutions currently house GPOs, with most housing one and nine institutions housing two to three GPOs. The median (range) habitat volume is 5405 (1893–16,465) L, and 78 percent of systems are closed. Of the institutions surveyed, 23 have anesthetized or sedated a GPO for nonterminal procedures, including wound care, biopsies, and hemolymph collection. Reported methods of sedation or anesthesia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, isoflurane, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, and dexmedetomidine. Drugs or methods used for euthanasia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, mechanical decerebration, pentobarbital, isoflurane, MS-222, magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, potassium chloride, dexmedetomidine, and freezing. Reported observed side effects include ineffectiveness or inadequate sedation, inking, prolonged drug effects, and behavior changes. Survey data have the potential to guide the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs and build the framework for future prospective studies on GPO sedation and anesthesia.