Tolazoline as an antagonist in free-living lions immobilised with a ketamine-xylazine combination.
A combination of ketamine at 8.0 mg/kg and xylazine at 3.2 mg/kg was found effective in immobilising lions (Panthera leo) for 4 hours. Ataxia and immobilisation were rapidly induced, with stable respiratory rate, heart rate and body temperature recorded. Tolazoline effectively antagonised xylazine via intravenous or intramuscular injection, resulting in a return to mobility within approximately 20 and 60 minutes, respectively. Tolazoline also elevated the respiratory rate. No mortalities occurred during 97 immobilisations of 76 lions.
D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora / Q000502:physiology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007103:Immobilization; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008045:Lions / Q000502:physiology*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014043:Tolazoline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014991:Xylazine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D013843:Thiazines; D014991:Xylazine; D007649:Ketamine; D014043:Tolazoline