title: Field immobilization of raccoons (Procyon lotor) with Telazol and xylazine.
abstract: The effectiveness of tiletamine plus zolazepam (Telazol) and xylazine was evaluated as an immobilizing combination for raccoons (Procyon lotor). Fifteen raccoons were injected intramuscularly with a 3:2 mixture of Telazol (3.2+/-0.6 mg/kg [mean+/-SD]) and xylazine (2.1+/-0.4 mg/kg) at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA, during May-October, 2001-03. Mean induction time was 4.8+/-3.8 min; mean recovery time was 128.5+/-48.4 min. No linear relationships were found between the amount (mg/kg) of Telazol-xylazine injected and induction (r2 = 0.06, P = 0.40) or recovery times (r2 = 0.01, P = 0.78). Mean heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature declined through 20 min after induction (P< 0.05). No mortality occurred and no short-term adverse effects were observed in recaptured individuals. I conclude that a 3:2 mixture of Telazol-xylazine is a safe and effective immobilizing agent for raccoons when conducting nonsurgical field procedures. Immobilizing raccoons with Telazol at 3 mg/kg and xylazine at 2 mg/kg should provide up to 60 min of handling time and usually allow full recovery in about 120 min.
authors.affiliation: National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Science Center, Box 40, Munising, Michigan 49862, USA. jerry_belant@nps.gov
authors.forename: Jerrold L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Belant
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011821:Raccoons / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012449:Safety; D013992:Tiletamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014991:Xylazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015041:Zolazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D004338:Drug Combinations; C006131:tiletamine, zolazepam drug combination; D014991:Xylazine; D013992:Tiletamine; D015041:Zolazepam