Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant commonly used in human medicine for the treatment of neuropathic pain and depression. Antinociceptive properties of amitriptyline appear to be from inhibition of descending inhibitory and ascending pain pathways via voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channel blockade. There are studies using amitriptyline in cats, birds, and dogs for pain and behavior problems; however, no studies have evaluated this drug in reptiles. This study utilized 24 male and female adult Speke's hinge-backed tortoises (Kiniskys spekii) sourced from the Kitui county of Kenya. All animals were housed separately with a temperature gradient of 23-30°C (73.4-86°F) and 12-hour day-night cycle. Animals were fed vegetables three times weekly and fruits weekly. Animals were acclimated to housing and handling for one month prior to the experiment.
Injections of 100µL 10% formalin were given into the interclaw region of the hindlimb, and time spent with the hindlimb...
