Field immobilization of American martens (Martes americana) and short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea).
Ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and a 5:1 combination of KH and xylazine hydrochloride (XH) were used successfully to immobilize short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea) and American martens (Martes americana), respectively. Four adult male martens were intramuscularly injected with 30 to 82 mg/kg KH and 8.0 to 16.4 mg/kg XH. Three adult male short-tailed weasels were intramuscularly injected with 20.8 to 42.1 mg/kg KH. Mean (+/- SE) induction times for martens and short-tailed weasels were 1.8 +/- 0.2 min and 46 +/- 4.1 sec, respectively; recovery times were 100.4 +/- 19.3 min and 97.9 +/- 6.3 min, respectively. Heart rate was relatively constant among martens; however, respiration varied widely (21 to 122 breaths per minute). Marten body temperature decreased between 0 and 20 min post-recumbency. Short-tailed weasel heart rate and respiration decreased in response to sedation until slightly before arousal. Body temperature stabilized by 20 min post-recumbency. Two short-tailed weasels tremored slightly within 10 min of arousal. I conclude that KH and KH/XH are safe immobilizing agents for martens and short-tailed weasels, respectively.
Belant
J L
JL
State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Newcomb, New York 12852.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002335:Carnivora / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007103:Immobilization; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D004338:Drug Combinations; D014991:Xylazine; D007649:Ketamine