Effects of acepromazine on the stress response in Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) captured by means of drive-nets.
This study was conducted to assess the stress response of Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) to capture and physical restraint and the effects of acepromazine (a short-acting neuroleptic) on this response. Forty free-ranging Southern chamois were captured, injected intramuscularly with acepromazine (19 animals, randomly selected) or saline (the other 21 animals), and physically restrained for 3 h. Heart rate and body temperature were monitored with telemetric devices, and blood samples were obtained at capture and every hour thereafter to determine hematologic and serum biochemical parameters. The lower heart-rate variability, temperature, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), and serum creatine kinase activity in the animals treated with acepromazine indicated that this agent reduced the adverse effects of stress. According to the differences in heart rate, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, PCV, lymphocyte count, and serum concentrations of glucose, creatinine, chloride, and potassium, alpha-adrenergic stimulation by catecholamines seemed to be stronger in females, whereas the adrenal-cortex reaction seemed to be stronger in males. The differences in erythrocyte parameters, temperature, serum creatine kinase activity, and serum concentrations of potassium and chloride indicated that acepromazine's beneficial effects were greater in females.
López-Olvera
Jorge R
JR
Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Facultat de Veterinária (Edifici V), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 - Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Marco
Ignasi
I
Montané
Jordi
J
Casas-Díaz
Encarna
E
Lavín
Santiago
S
D000075:Acepromazine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D048608:Rupicapra / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014186:Transportation
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000075:Acepromazine