Immobilization of Norwegian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and Svalbard Reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus) with medetomidine and medetomidine-ketamine and reversal of immobilization with atipamezole.
The sedative action of medetomidine (-ketamine) was studied in 12 captive Norwegian semidomesticated reindeer (NR), including 4 newborn calves, and in 7 free-living Svalbard reindeer (SR). Medetomidine, with or without ketamine, caused effective, reliable immobilization in NR. Doses of 50-200 micrograms/kg medetomidine alone or 30-125 micrograms/kg medetomidine combined with greater than or equal to 300 micrograms/kg ketamine induced complete immobilization, good muscle relaxation and persistent, deep sedation with little respiratory depression in NR; SR required higher doses. Atipamezole successfully antagonized medetomidine (-ketamine) resulting in rapid and persistent reversal of immobilization in all cases (NR and SR). Both medetomidine and atipamezole had wide safety margins and no conspicuous lasting side effects after reversal.
Tyler
N J
NJ
Department of Arctic Biology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
Hotvedt
R
R
Blix
A S
AS
Sørensen
D R
DR
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007103:Immobilization; D007649:Ketamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020926:Medetomidine; D012053:Reindeer / Q000502:physiology*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D007649:Ketamine; D020926:Medetomidine