Reversible Immobilization of Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) Using Medetomidine–Ketamine and Atipamezole

Abstract

This communication reports a partially reversible chemical immobilization protocol used for translocation and veterinary care in giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis; GO). Six GOs (three males and three females) weighing 24.8 +/- 4.0 kg (mean +/- SD) and ranging in age from 16 to 42 mo old were anesthetized with an i.m. combination of medetomidine (29 +/- 3 microg/kg) and ketamine (3.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg). To perform all procedures, two otters required an additional dose of ketamine (1.5 mg/kg). Anesthesia was reversed with atipamezole i.m. (147 +/- 14 mg/kg). The mean induction time and recovery times were 12 +/- 5 and 4 min (range, 0-9 min), respectively, with an anesthesia time of 47 +/- 16 min. According to these results, the combination of medetomidine (30 microg/kg i.m.) and ketamine (4 mg/kg i.m.) is a reasonable choice for inducing anesthesia in GOs.

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

“…20,22 Giant otters anesthetized with medetomidine-ketamine had a PaCO 2 ranging from 48 to 61 mm Hg, which is intermediate between that reported in the literature for other species 4 and that in the Asian small-clawed otters of this report. The PaCO 2 was high, compared with that of terrestrial species anesthetized with similar drug protocols.…”

Chemical immobilisation of the wild Patagonian otter (Lontra provocax) and the North American mink (Neovison vison)

“…The anaesthetic induction was rapid and smooth for all individuals, except for two otters anaesthetised with KET-MED which exhibited a longer time to initial effect (10 min), however, this was shorter than the time reported by Bauquier et al (2010). The average time to initial effect for otters was 4.9 and 2.8 min for KET-MED and KET-DEX, respectively.…”

“…Both anaesthetic combinations worked well. In the KET-MED combination, we used 2mg/kg more KET than Bauquier et al (2010), because they used a low level of anaesthesia and in two cases they had to administer additional doses of ketamine. Taking all results together, we recommend the use of 8.0 mg/kg of KET and 0.025 mg/kg of DEX IM in otters, and 10 mg/kg of KET and 0.025 mg/kg of DEX IM in minks for field anaesthesia of short procedures (<30min) with reversal by ATI 0.5 mg/kg IM.…”