Field Anesthesia of Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) with the Use of Medetomidine-Ketamine or Medetomidine-Midazolam with Atipamezole Reversal

Abstract

Twenty-two free-ranging golden jackals (Canis aureus) were immobilized with a combination of 113 +/- 24 microg/kg medetomidine and 2.1 +/- 0.3 mg/kg ketamine (M-K) or 88 +/- 16 microg/kg medetomidine and 0.47 +/- 0.08 mg/ kg midazolam (M-M) by i.m. injection. Induction and recovery times were recorded. Pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and oxygen saturation were measured. Anesthesia depth indicators were observed. There was no significant difference between the M-K and the M-M groups regarding induction time (6:14 +/- 1:45 and 7:16 +/- 2:09 min, respectively). Both combinations provided safe and effective immobilization for at least 20-30 min. Pulse rate was significantly higher in the M-K group. There was no significant difference in any other objective or subjective parameter. Following administration of atipamezole at five times the dose of medetomidine given, there was a significant difference between the two combinations in recovery time; M-K jackals were standing within 3:42 +/- 2:17 min and M-M jackals within 8:47 +/- 4:32 min. Neither of the combinations caused rough or prolonged recovery. Subjectively, the M-M group had smoother and less ataxic recovery.

Chemical Immobilization of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) With Ketamine-Medetomidine Mixture and Reversal With Atipamezole

“…For example, some defined it as ''the ability of an animal to maintain an upright position'' (Belant, 2004), others as ''standing and ambulating but with some minor, residual anestheticrelated ataxia'' (Lewandowski et al, 2002;Pitt et al, 2006) and, in most cases, recovery was not defined. Rectal temperatures and respiration rates of the raccoons immobilized in this study were similar to those obtained for small to medium carnivores also anesthetized with ketamine and medetomidine (Dzialak et al, 2001;King et al, 2008;Shilo et al, 2010). However, the heart rate was found to be lower than those obtained for other carnivores of similar size anesthetized with the same drug mixture (Dzialak et al, 2001;King et al, 2008;Shilo et al, 2010) and lower than the normal heart rate for raccoons (Evans, 2002).…”

“…Rectal temperatures and respiration rates of the raccoons immobilized in this study were similar to those obtained for small to medium carnivores also anesthetized with ketamine and medetomidine (Dzialak et al, 2001;King et al, 2008;Shilo et al, 2010). However, the heart rate was found to be lower than those obtained for other carnivores of similar size anesthetized with the same drug mixture (Dzialak et al, 2001;King et al, 2008;Shilo et al, 2010) and lower than the normal heart rate for raccoons (Evans, 2002). This might be explained by the utilization of medetomidine, which can lead to a decrease in cardiac rate (West et al, 2007).…”

Evaluation of butorphanol, medetomidine and midazolam as a reversible narcotic combination in free-ranging African lions (Panthera leo)

“…Two lions had a body temperature above 39.9°C and body temperatures did not correlate whether lions remained with the carcass or walked off into the bush during induction. High body temperatures above 40°C have also been observed in lions and exotic carnivores in other studies using alpha-2-adrenoceptor agonists (Fahlman et al 2005;Jacquier et al 2006;King et al 2008). Hyperthermia may have been caused by warm ambient temperatures or interference with normal thermoregulatory mechanisms by alpha-2adrenoceptor agonists or opioids (Handler et al 1992;Caulkett & Arnemo 2007).…”

Comparison of anesthesia with fully reversible dexmedetomidine-butorphanol-midazolam versus ketamine-midazolam in captive Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus)

“…15 During dexmedetomidine-butorphanolmidazolam anesthesia, heart rates were often in the range of 60 to 70 beats/min, whereas for ketamine-midazolam anesthesia, the lowest mean heart rate during a 15-minute period was 146 beats/min. A field study 9 comparing the administration of medetomidine-ketamine with that of medetomidine-midazolam in golden jackals (Canis aureus) found that those that received medetomidine-ketamine had a significantly higher heart rate. α 2 -Adrenoreceptor agonists are known to cause bradycardia, which may be an appropriate physiologic response to a transient increase in systemic vascular resistance.…”

“…8,9 It is often used with a cyclohexane such as ketamine or a cyclohexane-benzodiazepine combination such as tiletamine-zolazepam. 8,9 It is often used with a cyclohexane such as ketamine or a cyclohexane-benzodiazepine combination such as tiletamine-zolazepam.…”