Black-striped capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) are diurnal omnivores found on the American continent and have the widest geographic distribution of the neotropical primates. 1 Constant deforestation means that these animals migrate to urban centers, becoming targets of predatory hunting and leading to a significant number of specimens in captivity.So that the veterinary physician can intervene efficaciously in the health of these animals, in addition to clinical knowledge, the choice of the chemical immobilization method of the animal, anesthesia and the anesthetic administration route is fundamental to the success of the procedures. 2The association of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) has been widely used in wild and exotic animals because it requires a small injection volume, is well absorbed intramuscularly, and has a wide safety margin and permits immobilization to anesthesia with minimum cardiopulmonary effect. 3,4 For most species, 2-5 mg/kg are sufficient to promote anesthesia for minimal procedures, but smaller species require a bigger dose. 2 However, the use of this association is still controversial in some species due to a lack of studies.
AbstractBackground: Tiletamine-zolazepam is a widely used as an alternative chemical immobilization method in non-human primates, with a safe application pathway and necessary relaxation. In order to determine the electrocardiographic parameters of Sapajus libidinosus after intramuscular tiletamine-zolazepam administration at the dose of 5 mg/kg, nine animals were submitted to anesthesia.
Methods:The interpretation of the electrocardiogram determined: heart rate in bpm and heart rhythm, P wave, P-R interval, R wave, QRS complex, T wave, Q-T interval, corrected QT interval and electrical axis. The mean HR was 206 ± 32 bpm.
Results:The majority of the monkeys showed normal sinus rhythm, but one animal showed sinus tachycardia. The most commonly observed electrical axis was between +30° and +90°. Two animals presented bigger alterations in the tracing such as low amplitude QRS and T wave bigger than 1/4 of the R wave.
Conclusions:The administration of tiletamine-zolazepam was safe and efficacious, with minimal cardiovascular effects.
K E Y W O R D Sanesthesia, electrocardiogram, primate | 155 de LA SALLeS et AL.