A simple method of providing intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to etorphine-immobilized elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the field.
Five African elephants (Loxodonta africana) were immobilized with etorphine in Waza National Park, Cameroon, for the purpose of deploying radio/satellite tracking collars. A portable ventilator constructed from two high-flow demand valves and the Y-piece of a large animal anesthesia circuit was used to provide intermittent positive-pressure ventilation with 100% oxygen. Oxygenation status improved dramatically in all five elephants. In one hypoxemic elephant, arterial PaO2 increased from 40 to 366 mm Hg. The results of this study demonstrate that both oxygenation and ventilation can be readily controlled in etorphine-immobilized elephants even under remote field conditions.
Horne
W A
WA
Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences, and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
Tchamba
M N
MN
Loomis
M R
MR
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004606:Elephants / Q000502:physiology*; D005048:Etorphine; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007103:Immobilization; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000662:veterinary*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D013990:Tidal Volume
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005048:Etorphine; D010100:Oxygen