Effects of laparoscopy on the cardiorespiratory system of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) anesthetized with ketamine/ xylazine/ midazolam combination and isoflurane

Low invasive estrous synchronization protocol for wild animals: an example with melengestrol acetate in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Deer are sensitive to stressful stimuli by handling and their reproductive physiology could be altered by these procedures, making it necessary to develop less invasive protocols for ART. Melengestrol acetate (MGA), a synthetic progestin administered orally, appears as an alternative for estrous synchronization protocols (ESP), such as reported in cattle. Firstly, we compared two MGA doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal), which would have suppression effect in estrous behavior (EB). Eight females were randomly and equally distributed in Group 1 (G1) and Group 2 (G2), which received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal respectively for 15 days (D1 to D15). Two cloprostenol (CP) applications were performed on D0 and D11. Estrus detection (ED) was performed every day. All females from G1 displayed estrus during treatment period, whereas all females from G2 displayed estrus after treatment, suggesting a suppressive effect of 1.0 mg in the EB. Once the suppressive MGA dose (1.0 mg) was defined, we used this dose for assessing ESP. The same eight females received 1.0 mg/animal for eight days (D-8 to D-1), followed by 0.25 mg of estradiol benzoate on D-8 and 265 μg of CP on D0. Feces for fecal progesterone metabolites (FPM) measurement were collected from D0 until seven days after the last day of estrus. Seven females displayed estrus between 12 and 72 h after CP application, which was followed by a significant increase in FPM levels (except female MG6), suggesting the formation of corpus luteum. After ED, females were placed with a fertile male to assess the fertility of the protocol. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound 30 days after mating in 3/6 individuals. Although the low effectiveness of MGA protocol, it should be considered as a promising alternative in deer ESP since this protocol has less stressful effect on the animal during reproductive management when compared to other ESP.

ORAL HALOPERIDOL PREMEDICATION TO REDUCE CAPTURE STRESS PRIOR TO XYLAZINE-KETAMINE ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE SPOTTED DEER (AXIS AXIS)

A prospective clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of haloperidol premedication prior to xylazine-ketamine anesthesia with a goal of reducing capture stress in adult male captive spotted deer (Axis axis). On the morning of the study, deer were fed a banana either containing haloperidol tablets (1 mg/kg) (haloperidol group, n = 10) or without haloperidol (placebo group, n = 10). Six hours postadministration, xylazine (3 mg/kg) and ketamine (2 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly via a dart. Rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and SpO₂ (percent hemoglobin saturation) were recorded at 5-min intervals. Blood gas analysis was performed at time 0 (venous blood) and 10 and 20 min (arterial blood) postinduction. Serum cortisol was determined from venous blood (35 min postinduction), following which yohimbine was administered at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg intramuscular and 0.15 mg/kg intravenous. Statistical analysis of repeated measures data was performed with a two-way analysis of variance. Paired data were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test (categorical data) or a paired t-test (continuous data). Significance was set at P ≤ 0.05, and results were expressed as mean ± SEM. There was no significant difference in induction time or recovery time between treatment groups. Rectal temperature and heart rate were significantly lower in the haloperidol group. Both groups demonstrated acidosis with venous pH being significantly lower in the placebo group when compared to the haloperidol group. Serum cortisol and arterial plasma lactate were lower in the haloperidol group indicative of reduced stress and physical exertion. Haloperidol premedication proved to be beneficial in reducing capture stress, when administered prior to xylazine-ketamine anesthesia, in spotted deer.

Natural Habitat, Housing, and Restraint of Six Selected Neotropical Animals in Trinidad and Tobago with the Potential for Domestication

This paper highlights the natural habitat, housing, and restraint needs of 6 Neotropical animals that are found in Trinidad and Tobago with the potential for domestication: agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), lappe/paca (Cuniculus paca/Agouti paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), manicou/opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu/Pecari tajacu), and red brocket deer (Mazama americana). The year of the earliest reference cited was 1950 and the most recent was 2018, with over 100 references being used. The average density, home range size, social group, and housing requirements were also examined as these factors would play a role in designing enclosures. A number of different physical and chemical restraint techniques were also discussed. Information from other species within the same genus was incorporated as some of the animals did not have sufficient literature.

Physiologic effects of three different protocols of isoflurane anesthesia in captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

This study evaluates the cardiorespiratory and physiologic effects of three different protocols of chemical restraint using isoflurane in captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Six adult deer, two males and four females, aged 3-6 yr old and weighing 16.3 +/- 1.5 kg (mean +/- SD), were used. The deer were physically restrained and anesthetized using one of three protocols: protocol 1 (P1), anesthesia was induced directly with isoflurane using a facemask and maintained for 1 hr with isoflurane delivered by endotracheal tube; protocol 2 (P2), oral premedication with midazolam was followed 1 hr later by induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, as in P1; and protocol 3 (P3), intravenous anesthesia using a combination of ketamine, xylazine, and atropine was followed by isoflurane anesthesia, as in P1. Cardiorespiratory variables were recorded during physical restraint (TO); 5 min after intubation (T5); and every 10 min during anesthesia (T15-T55). Venous and arterial blood gas analysis was conducted at TO (venous blood only), T15, T35, and T55. Data were analyzed by the appropriate statistical tests. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Under P1, three deer regurgitated during induction and one of them died because of aspiration pneumonia. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration differed significantly between P1, P2, and P3 (2.6 +/- 0.2, 2.3 +/- 0.5, and 0.9 +/- 0.3%, respectively). Hypotension was observed during anesthesia (T15-T55). Respiratory acidosis occurred at all times and protocols, and pH was significantly lower in P1 compared to P2 and P3. Metabolic acidosis was also observed following physical restraint (T0-T35) in all protocols. The use of isoflurane via facemask for anesthesia induction is not a safe method in deer that are not premedicated. Isoflurane used alone or in combination with midazolam and ketamine-xylazine-atropine combination causes hypotension and dose-dependent respiratory acidosis.