UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

An adult Indian monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) weighing approximately 2.4 kg was rescued by Telangana Forest Department personnel from Veerpur village, Telangana, after entrapment in a nylon snare around the neck. On presentation to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Korutla, the animal was depressed, dehydrated and minimally responsive, with clinical signs of circulatory shock. Examination revealed a contaminated circumferential cervical laceration involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue and superficial cervical musculature. Emergency management comprised thermal support, subcutaneous Ringer's lactate solution (20 mL/kg), antimicrobial and analgesic therapy, wound irrigation and protective bandaging. Following clinical stabilisation, surgical debridement and repair were undertaken under intramuscular ketamine anaesthesia (20 mg/kg) with local lignocaine administration. Devitalised tissue was removed, the muscle was sutured with absorbable polyglactin 910, and the skin was apposed with polyamide using a horizontal mattress pattern. Post-operative care included ceftriaxone (25 mg/kg intramuscularly) for 10 days, meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg intramuscularly) for 5 days, daily wound dressing and environmental support. By the tenth post-operative day, satisfactory tissue union permitted removal of the skin sutures. During rehabilitation, the lizard resumed voluntary feeding and demonstrated coordinated locomotion, neck mobility and normal responsiveness. After clinical examination, it was released into a suitable natural habitat near the rescue site. This case describes successful short-term clinical management and rehabilitation following severe cervical snare trauma.