Repeated chemical immobilization of a captive greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), using combinations of etorphine, detomidine, and ketamine.
An adult, 23 yr-old, male greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) was repeatedly immobilized with combinations of etorphine, detomidine, and ketamine to provide medical and surgical care to chronic, bilateral, soft tissue lesions on the hind feet and to collect semen by electroejaculation. The rhinoceros was successfully immobilized on 24 occasions over a 55 mo period at approximately 8-10 wk intervals, 17 times with a combination of etorphine and detomidine (M99-D, i.m.) by projectile dart and seven times with a combination of etorphine, ketamine, and detomidine (M99-K-D, i.m.) by pole syringe. The combination of etorphine, detomidine, and ketamine repeatedly and safely induced prolonged anesthesia, and a suitable drug combination includes 3.5-3.8 mg etorphine, 14 mg detomidine, and 400 mg ketamine (M99-K-D) administered i.m. into the neck.
Atkinson
Mark W
MW
The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio 43732, USA.
Hull
Bruce
B
Gandolf
A Rae
AR
Blumer
Evan S
ES
D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005048:Etorphine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D007103:Immobilization; D007649:Ketamine; D008297:Male; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010092:Oximetry / Q000662:veterinary; D010527:Perissodactyla / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D005048:Etorphine; D009271:Naltrexone; D007649:Ketamine; C041255:detomidine