THIAFENTANIL-DEXMEDETOMIDINE-TELAZOL ANESTHESIA IN GREATER RHEAS (RHEA AMERICANA)

Abstract

Ratite anesthetic events are often dangerous because these birds use their powerful legs and clawed feet as a defense, and physical restraint can result in self-trauma or injury to handlers. Although various combinations of opioids, alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, and dissociative agents have been employed in ratites, few effective chemical immobilization protocols have been documented for rheas (Rhea spp.). An intramuscular, remote-delivered combination of thiafentanil (0.30 +/- 0.08 mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (7.31 +/- 2.72 microg/kg), and tiletamine-zolazepam (5.09 +/- 2.31 mg/kg) was utilized in eight adult (four male, four female) greater rheas (Rhea americana). Smooth inductions were observed. During clinical procedures, birds were intubated and maintained on isoflurane gas, and atipamezole was administered to antagonize the dexmedetomidine. At recovery, naltrexone was administered to antagonize the thiafentanil, and midazolam was administered to smooth crate recoveries until release. This low-volume, high-potency, reversible drug combination demonstrated safe inductions and smooth recoveries and proved to be a reliable anesthetic regimen for greater rheas.

A preliminary trial of the sedation induced by intranasal administration of midazolam alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine and reversal by atipamezole for a short-term immobilization in pigeons

“…Nevertheless, a huge advantage when using a sedative combination with DXM is that ATI can be applied to reverse the effects of DXM and thus to shorten the recovery period in birds (Ter Beet et al. ).…”

Chemical immobilisation and satellite tagging of free‐living southern cassowaries

“…In the present study, a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of tiletamine–zolazepam produced lateral recumbency in all southern cassowaries in <3 min. We favoured the use of this drug for the chemical immobilisation of free‐living cassowaries, because the knock‐out time is much shorter than that observed for other drugs (medetomidine 15 min, thiafentanil–dexmedetomidine–telazol 15 min, ketamine 7 min).…”

“…Moreover, excessive struggling or excitement may also cause fractured limbs, haemorrhaging and death of the bird. Chemical restraint is usually desirable when handling larger ratites and a range of anaesthetics have been trialled with varying degrees of success …”

“…The main concern with chemical immobilisation is the risk of self‐trauma to the bird or injury to handlers during the knock‐out and recovery phases . The majority of studies on the chemical restraint of large ratites have been conducted in ostriches ( Struthio camelus ), with the protocols being transferred to other species, with broadly similar results . The drugs that have been used include ketamine hydrochloride on its own or in combination with xylazine, diazepam or alphaxalone; a mixture of zolazepam and tiletamine; etorphine; butorphanol; medetomidine; and thiafentanil–dexmedetomidine …”

The use of thiafentanil oxalate and azaperone for reversible immobilisation of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) within a nature reserve — Short communication

“…Thiafentanil has been widely used for wildlife immobilisation on different species: nyala (Cooper et al, 2005), Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Citino et al, 2002), mule deer (Wolfe et al, 2004), emu (Cushing and McClean, 2010), Tibetan yak (Cushing et al, 2011), gaur (Napier et al, 2011), axis deer (Smith et al, 2006) and greater rhea (Ter Beest et al, 2012). The thiafentanil-azaperone combination for African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) immobilisation has been mentioned in books (Kreeger et al, 2002;West et al, 2008).…”