Effects of yohimbine on combined xylazine-ketamine-induced sedation and immobilization in juvenile African elephants.
Twenty-two juvenile African elephants were given a combination of xylazine (mean +/- SD = 0.14 +/- 0.03 mg/kg of body weight) and ketamine (1.14 +/- 0.21 mg/kg) as a single IM injection; one elephant was immobilized twice, 77 days apart. After injection, 14 elephants were immobilized, 4 were sedated deeply, 2 were sedated moderately, and 2 were sedated minimally. Immobilized elephants had a mean immobilization time of 11.6 +/- 6.9 minutes. At the conclusion of a variety of clinical procedures, 12 of the 14 elephants immobilized with a single dose combination of xylazine and ketamine were given yohimbine (0.13 +/- 0.03 mg/kg) IV, and the remaining 2 elephants were allowed to recover spontaneously; the elephants given yohimbine had a mean standing time of 2.4 +/- 1.1 minutes. Of the 8 sedated elephants, 5 were given an additional dose of combined xylazine (0.08 +/- 0.03 mg/kg), and ketamine (0.61 +/- 0.19 mg/kg) IM, and 1 elephant was given ketamine (0.47 mg/kg) IV. After injection, 4 of the 8 elephants were recumbent laterally within 17 minutes and 2 remained standing, under deep sedation. Seven of the 8 elephants were given yohimbine (0.13 +/- 0.03 mg/kg) IV; all were ambulatory in 2 minutes. Results indicated that yohimbine may be useful in controlling duration of xylazine-ketamine sedation and immobilization in juvenile African elephants.
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004606:Elephants; D005260:Female; D007103:Immobilization; D007649:Ketamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008297:Male; D013843:Thiazines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014991:Xylazine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013843:Thiazines; D014991:Xylazine; D015016:Yohimbine; D007649:Ketamine