Xylazine-induced sedation in axis deer (Axis axis) and its reversal by atipamezole.
Eight free-ranging axis deer (Axis axis) were captured in drive nets and injected with xylazine (3.4 +/- 0.1 mg/kg; mean +/- SEM) intramuscularly using a hand-held syringe. Xylazine induced complete immobilization and sedation in three animals, heavy sedation in three, and moderate sedation in two. The mean induction time was 10.4 +/- 1.0 min. The mean rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates of immobilized animals were 39.2 +/- 0.4 degrees C, 75.5 +/- 6.5 beats/min and 62.1 +/- 4.2 breaths/min, respectively. All the animals were given atipamezole intravenously for reversal. The mean time from injection of xylazine to administration of atipamezole was 37.8 +/- 4.6 min. A dose ratio (w/w) for xylazine:atipamezole-HCl of 10:1 was used. The mean time from injection of atipamezole to mobility was 2.41 +/- 0.58 min. Atipamezole given intravenously effectively antagonized xylazine-induced sedation in axis deer. Only one animal showed signs of overalertness after reversal and no cases of resedation were observed.
Arnemo
J M
JM
Centre of Veterinary Medicine, Tromsø, Norway.
Moe
S R
SR
Søli
N E
NE
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000662:veterinary*; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D004336:Drug Antagonism; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007103:Immobilization; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D014991:Xylazine