Assessment of dexmedetomidine/ketamine anesthesia in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas).
OBJECTIVE
To compare the anesthetic and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine/ketamine combinations in golden-headed lion tamarins.


METHODS
Prospective blinded randomized study.


METHODS
Six healthy golden-headed lion tamarins, three males and three females were studied (mean body weight +/- SD = 0.498 +/- 0.054 kg).


METHODS
The animals were given one of the dexmedetomidine/ketamine combinations (0.005/10, 0.01/10, and 0.01/5 mg kg(-1) IM; treatments 5D/10K, 10D/10K, and 10D/5K, respectively) on three successive occasions. Time to sedation and recumbency, as well as anesthesia, standing, and walking times were recorded. Heart and respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, hemoglobin saturation, and rectal temperature were recorded during anesthesia. Sedation, muscle relaxation, and auditory response were evaluated after drug administration.


RESULTS
Heart rate decreased after two combinations (10D/5K and 10D/10K). Respiratory rate and rectal temperature progressively decreased in all the treatments. Arterial blood pressures were maintained in 5D/10K and 10D/5K treatments and decreased after 10D/10K administration. There were no differences in sedation and recumbency time between the treatments, but anesthesia time was significantly longer in treatment 10D/10K (67.80 +/- 13.30 minutes) compared to treatments 10D/5K (44.54 +/- 8.25 minutes) and 5D/10K (30.60 +/- 6.80 minutes). Standing time was shorter in treatment 10D/10K (11.13 +/- 10.01 minutes) than in treatments 5D/10K (18.20 +/- 10.03 minutes) and 10D/5K (19.12 +/- 14.55 minutes), and walking time was longer in treatment 5D/10K (20.00 +/- 12.46 minutes) compared with treatments 10D/10K (16.00 +/- 3.43 minutes) and 10D/5K (12.40 +/- 5.02 minutes). Anesthetic quality was significantly better 5 and 15 minutes after treatments 10D/10K and 10D/5K than after treatment 5D/10K. Analgesia scores were higher after administration of 10D/10K than after the 5D/10K treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexmedetomidine/ketamine is useful for chemical immobilization of golden-headed lion tamarins, but bradycardia and hypotension warrant close monitoring.
Selmi
André L
AL
Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil. andre.selmi@yahoo.com.br
Mendes
Guilherme M
GM
Boere
Vanner
V
Cozer
Leonardo A S
LA
Filho
Emivaldo S
ES
Silva
Carlos A
CA
D000818:Animals; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012452:Saguinus / Q000502:physiology*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D007649:Ketamine