Anesthesia of Tibetan Yak ( Bos grunniens ) Using Thiafentanil - Xylazine and Carfentanil - Xylazine

RETROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF FIVE DRUG PROTOCOLS FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF CAPTIVE SABLE ANTELOPE (HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER)

Sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), a large, dominant species, often require chemical immobilization for captive management. Despite several recorded protocols, limited objective or subjective data are available to guide chemical immobilization of this species. This study retrospectively compared immobilization drug combinations of carfentanil-xylazine (CX), thiafentanil-xylazine (TX), etorphine-xylazine (EX), carfentanil-acepromazine (CA), and butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) for healthy sable antelope at one institution. Clinically applicable physiologic measures, subjective ratings, and timing of anesthetic milestones of 161 events for 107 individuals revealed the following statistically significant findings (P < 0.05). Induction ratings were best for TX, highest degree of muscle relaxation occurred with BAM and TX, and anesthetic ratings were best for TX and EX. Time to recovery was longest and complications 2.56 times more likely with CX. Time to recumbency was shortest in TX. Heart rate was highest in CA and lowest in BAM. For immobilization procedures, this study suggests TX would be the preferred combination for H. niger. However, all drug combinations evaluated can be used successfully to immobilize H. niger, and certain combinations may be situationally preferred based on desired muscle relaxation, expected induction or recovery times, or anticipated procedure length.

DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Carfentanil

Because of its remarkable potency and relative ease of synthesis, carfentanil (1) has recently emerged as a problematic contaminant in other drugs of abuse. Carfentanil and its close analogs, currently approved only for large animal veterinary medicine, have found use both as illicit additives to the clandestine manufacture of scheduled drugs and as chemical weapons. In this Review, the background, synthesis, manufacture, metabolism, pharmacology, approved indications, dosage, and adverse effects of carfentanil will be discussed along with its emergence as a key player in the ongoing opioid crisis.

REPEATED USE OF A THIAFENTANIL-BASED ANESTHESIA PROTOCOL IN AN OKAPI (OKAPIA JOHNSTONI)

Seven anesthesia events were performed over 6 wk on a 1.5-yr-old female okapi (Okapia johnstoni) being managed for a fetlock injury. A combination of butorphanol (B) (median; range) (0.045; 0.031-0.046 mg/kg), medetomidine (M) (0.037; 0.031-0.037 mg/kg), ketamine (K) (0.553; 0.536-1.071 mg/kg), and thiafentanil (T) (0.0045; 0.0040-0.0046 mg/kg) was administered in a padded stall. One dart containing all drugs was used for the first two anesthesias. Subsequently, BM was administered 10 min prior to KT using two darts. Time (median; range) from initial injection to first effects (6; 3-7 min) and recumbency (14; 4-20 min) were recorded. Induction quality with the one-dart protocol was poor or fair and was good or excellent with the two-dart protocol. Following recumbency, the okapi was intubated and ventilated, and physiological parameters were recorded. Anesthesia was consistently achieved with BMKT, but induction was smoother with the staged two-dart approach. Neither resedation nor renarcotization was observed post-reversal.

ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA IN TWO TIBETAN YAK BULLS ( BOS GRUNNIENS) AS A COMPLICATION OF KETAMINE-XYLAZINE-BUTORPHANOL ANESTHESIA FOR RECUMBENT CASTRATION

Among members of the genus Bos, aspiration pneumonia has been described in domestic cattle ( Bos taurus and Bos indicus). In these species, aspiration pneumonia is most commonly a sequelae to oral administration of fluids or medications, as well as aspiration during procedures under anesthesia. Management of aspiration pneumonia secondary to complications from anesthesia for short duration surgical procedures is minimally reported in the Tibetan yak ( Bos grunniens). Although regurgitation under anesthesia has been reported in the yak, there are no reports of aspiration pneumonia treatment. This case report describes the diagnosis and management of aspiration pneumonia in two Tibetan yaks undergoing castration under injectable ketamine-xylazine-butorphanol anesthesia. This case report also describes the gross and pathologic characteristics of anesthesia-induced aspiration pneumonia in one Tibetan yak, as well as successful treatment in another.

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

Although thiafentanil oxalate has been widely used for wildlife immobilisation on different species, no report has been published about its usefulness on African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Thirty-four African buffaloes were successfully immobilised at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa in July 2013. The animals were kept in bomas of the nature reserve. The purpose of the immobilisation was to provide opportunity for microchip implantation, ear tag placement, intradermal tuberculin test and blood sampling. All animals were immobilised with thiafentanil oxalate 6 mg/animal (0.007-0.01 mg/kg) and azaperone 40 mg/animal (0.07-0.04 mg/kg) using Dan-inject darts and gun. The opioid reversal agent naltrexone hydrochloride 60 mg/animal (0.07-0.1 mg/kg) was given intravenously to the ear vein. The mean induction time was 3.9 ± 0.2 min, the recovery time was 1.65 ± 0.87 min. The results of the present study indicate that thiafentanil oxalate, this low-volume, high-potency, reversible drug combined with azaperone provides fast induction and smooth recovery. The authors recommend this drug combination as a reliable immobilising regimen for African buffalo.