title: Chemical anesthesia of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris): results of past field studies.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Biological Science Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, USA.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Monson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ballachey
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D001376:Azaperone; D009270:Naloxone; D009271:Naltrexone; D003975:Diazepam; D005283:Fentanyl