Tiletamine-zolazepam-xylazine immobilization of American marten (Martes americana).
The effectiveness of tiletamine-zolazepam (Telazol) and xylazine as an immobilizing combination for American martens (Martes americana) was evaluated. Fifteen martens were intramuscularly injected on 19 occasions using a 3:2 mixture of tiletamine-zolazepam (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 to October 2002-2003. Mean induction time was 2.5+/-1.8 min; mean recovery time was 70.8+/-31.9 min. There was no relation between the amount (mg/kg) of tiletamine-zolazepam-xylazine injected and induction (r(2)=0.08, P=0.26). However, there was an inverse relation (r(2)=0.28, P<0.01) between dosage and time to first effect of immobilants. Time to recovery increased (r(2)=0.21, P=0.05) with increased dosage. Mean heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature declined through 10 min postinduction (P<0.05). No mortality occurred and no short-term adverse effects were observed in recaptured individuals. In conclusion, a 3:2 mixture of tiletamine-zolazepam/xylazine is a safe and effective immobilizing agent for martens when conducting non-surgical field procedures. Immobilizing martens with 4.2 mg/kg tiletamine-zolazepam and 2.8 mg/kg xylazine should provide < or =30 min of handling time and allow full recovery in about 70 min.
Belant
Jerrold L
JL
Pictured Rocks Science Center, National Park Service, Box 40, Munising, MI 49862, USA.
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000494:pharmacology*; 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; D045969:Mustelidae / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013992:Tiletamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014991:Xylazine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015041:Zolazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014991:Xylazine; D013992:Tiletamine; D015041:Zolazepam