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Roug A, Meyer L, Netshitavhadulu L, Leiberich M, Buss P. Ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine for the immobilisation of free-living hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). J S Afr Vet Assoc 2024; 95:35-42. [PMID: 38533813 DOI: 10.36303/jsava.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Free-ranging spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are immobilised for a variety of purposes, including wildlife-human conflict mitigation, research, and veterinary treatment. Combinations of tiletamine-zolazepam (Zoletil) and medetomidine are commonly used for immobilisation of hyenas, however, recovery times are long. In this descriptive study, a total of 20 adult or subadult free-ranging hyenas were immobilised near Skukuza in the Kruger National Park using ketamine, butorphanol, and medetomidine. The goal of the study was to evaluate a suitable dose and measure cardiorespiratory effects of this combination. The quality of induction and recovery were scored using an established scoring system from 1 (excellent) to (poor). Twelve of the 20 hyenas were given an induction score of 1 (excellent), five an induction score of 2 (good), and three an induction score of 3 (fair). Of the animals with induction score = 1, the mean drug dose was 1.17 mg/kg ketamine, 0.25 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.03 mg/kg medetomidine, and the mean induction time and time to handling 6:25 minutes and 9:46 minutes respectively. The mean recovery time (from reversal to standing) was 10:16 min, which is shorter than what has been reported for tiletaminezolazepam- based combinations in hyenas. Most hyenas were bradycardic (< 40 beats per minute) and the mean PaO2 69.5 mmHg. Three hyenas, one with induction score = 2, and two with induction scores = 3 spontaneously recovered at 33, 44 and 56 minutes post approach respectively. Regardless of induction time, all hyenas reached a level of surgical anaesthesia while immobilised. Overall, ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine (KBM) was effective in immobilising hyenas but induction times varied, and animals were bradycardic during immobilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Roug
- Department of Production Animal Studies and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - L Meyer
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - L Netshitavhadulu
- Wildlife Veterinary Services, Kruger National Park, South African National Parks, South Africa
| | - M Leiberich
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - P Buss
- Department of Production Animal Studies and Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Wildlife Veterinary Services, Kruger National Park, South African National Parks, South Africa
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Walker R, Cope I, d'Ovidio D, Adami C. Current practice for the chemical immobilisation of non-domestic feline species: An online survey study. Vet Rec 2024; 194:e3666. [PMID: 37990755 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe chemical immobilisation of wild felids is essential for both conservational management and clinical purposes. However, little is known about drug protocols and current practice. METHODS This study was designed as an online survey based on a questionnaire. Descriptive/correlation statistics and analysis of proportions were used for data analysis. RESULTS The preferred immobilisation technique was the use of darts (37% of the respondents), while the most popular drug combination was a mixture of benzodiazepines, alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics (27%). The inclusion of ketamine in the drug mixture was associated with a quicker anaesthetic onset, as estimated by the participants (p < 0.001). Common complications were prolonged recovery (46%), bradycardia (35%), hypoventilation (32%), hypothermia (26%) and arousal (26%). Commonly encountered problems were inappropriate equipment (39%), lack of suitable drugs (27%) and inadequate knowledge of species-specific pharmacology (29%) and physiology (24%). LIMITATIONS Incomplete adherence to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys is acknowledged. CONCLUSIONS Drug protocols including both alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists and dissociative anaesthetics are preferred in wild felids, and the inclusion of ketamine may be useful to achieve a quick onset. Equipment/drug availability and species-specific knowledge are potential areas of improvement to improve wild felid anaesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Walker
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Chiara Adami
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Donaldson AC, Buss PE, Fuller A, Meyer LCR. Effects of three immobilizing drug combinations on ventilation, gas exchange and metabolism in free-living African lions ( Panthera leo). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad059. [PMID: 37575612 PMCID: PMC10416691 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Free-living lions (12 per group) were immobilized with tiletamine-zolazepam-medetomidine (TZM), ketamine-medetomidine (KM), or ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine (KBM). During immobilization, respiratory, blood gas and acid-base variables were monitored for 30 minutes. Respiratory rates were within expected ranges and remained constant throughout the immobilizations. Ventilation increased in lions over the immobilization period from 27.2 ± 9.5 to 35.1 ± 25.4 L/min (TZM), 26.1 ± 14.3 to 28.4 ± 18.4 L/min (KM) and 23.2 ± 10.8 to 26.7 ± 14.2 L/min (KBM). Tidal volume increased over the immobilization period from 1800 ± 710 to 2380 ± 1930 mL/breath (TZM), 1580 ± 470 to 1640 ± 500 mL/breath (KM) and 1600 ± 730 to 1820 ± 880 mL/breath (KBM). Carbon dioxide production was initially lower in KBM (0.4 ± 0.2 L/min) than in TZM (0.5 ± 0.2 L/min) lions but increased over time in all groups. Oxygen consumption was 0.6 ± 0.2 L/min (TZM), 0.5 ± 0.2 L/min (KM) and 0.5 ± 0.2 L/min (KBM) and remained constant throughout the immobilization period. Initially the partial pressure of arterial oxygen was lower in KBM (74.0 ± 7.8 mmHg) than in TZM (78.5 ± 4.7 mmHg) lions, but increased to within expected range in all groups over time. The partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide was higher throughout the immobilizations in KBM (34.5 ± 4.2 mmHg) than in TZM (32.6 ± 2.2 mmHg) and KM (32.6 ± 3.8 mmHg) lions. Alveolar-arterial gradients were initially elevated, but decreased over time for all groups, although in KM lions it remained elevated (26.9 ± 10.4 mmHg) above the expected normal. Overall, all three drug combinations caused minor respiratory and metabolic side-effects in the immobilized lions. However, initially hypoxaemia occurred as the drug combinations, and possibly the stress induced by the immobilization procedure, hinder alveoli oxygen gas exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Claire Donaldson
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark, 2000
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2193
| | - Peter Erik Buss
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, Mpumalanga, South Africa, 1350
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2193
| | - Leith Carl Rodney Meyer
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Soutpan Road, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, 0110
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2193
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