Chemical anesthesia of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris): results of past field studies.
Between 1987 and 1997, we chemically immobilized 597 wild sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Alaska for the collection of biological samples or for surgical instrumentation. One drug-related sea otter fatality occurred during this time. Fentanyl in combination with diazepam produced consistent, smooth inductions with minimal need for supplemental anesthetics during procedures lasting 30-40 min. Antagonism with naltrexone or naloxone was rapid and complete, although we observed narcotic recycling in sea otters treated with naloxone. For surgical procedures, we recommend a fentanyl target dose of 0.33 mg/kg of body mass and diazepam at 0.11 mg/kg. For nonsurgical biological sample collection procedures, we recommend fentanyl at 0.22 mg/kg and diazepam at 0.07 mg/kg. We advise the use of the opioid antagonist naltrexone at a ratio of 2:1 to the total fentanyl administered during processing.
Monson
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DH
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Biological Science Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA.
McCormick
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C
Ballachey
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BE
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D001376:Azaperone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D007103:Immobilization; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010041:Otters / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D013997:Time Factors; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D001376:Azaperone; D009270:Naloxone; D009271:Naltrexone; D003975:Diazepam; D005283:Fentanyl