Preliminary comparison of four anaesthetic techniques in badgers (Meles meles).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of four ketamine-based anaesthetic combinations in wild badgers.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, clinical trial.


METHODS
Twenty-four adult badgers.


METHODS
Animals were divided into four groups of six and were anaesthetized using either intramuscular (IM) ketamine alone (20 mg kg(-1)), ketamine (15 mg kg(-1) IM) and midazolam (0.4 mg kg(-1) IM), ketamine (10 mg kg(-1) IM) and midazolam (1 mg kg(-1) IM) or ketamine (5 mg kg(-1) IM) and medetomidine (80 microg kg(-1) IM) antagonized with atipamezole (0.8 mg kg(-1); IM). Features of each technique, i.e. quality of induction, maintenance and recovery, and the need for additional doses, were assessed using a simple descriptive scale. Physiological variables, i.e. rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure, were also recorded.


RESULTS
Combinations of ketamine and midazolam did not produce adequate anaesthesia. The combination of medetomidine and ketamine had few advantages over ketamine alone.


CONCLUSIONS
These data will contribute to a wider study attempting to refine anaesthetic techniques in badgers.
Thornton
Peter D
PD
Oxford University Veterinary Services, Oxford, UK. peter.thronton@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Newman
Christopher
C
Johnson
Paul J
PJ
Buesching
Christine D
CD
Baker
Sandra E
SE
Slater
David
D
Johnson
Dominic D P
DD
Macdonald
David W
DW
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D045969:Mustelidae / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D007649:Ketamine; D020926:Medetomidine; D008874:Midazolam