Immobilization of black bears (Ursus americanus) with a combination of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine.
Sixteen captive and five free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus) were immobilized with a combination of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM). The BAM drug combination was premixed using 0.5 ml butorphanol (30 mg/ml), 0.25 ml azaperone (50 mg/ml), and 0.25 ml medetomidine (20 mg/ml) per milliliter to yield a final mix of (15 mg butorphanol+12.5 mg azaperone+5 mg medetomidine)/ml. This combination, dosed at 0.4 ml BAM/approximately 23 kg estimated body weight, provided a mean induction time of 10 min (95% confidence interval [CI]=2 min), consistent anesthesia without apparent adverse effects, and smooth recovery (mean=15 min, 95% CI=4 min) after antagonism with atipamezole (5 mg/mg medetomidine) alone or in combination with naltrexone (5 mg/mg butorphanol). Based on our initial observations, BAM appears to be a reversible and accessible drug combination for immobilizing black bears that merits further evaluation for field use.
Wolfe
Lisa L
LL
Colorado Division of Wildlife, Wildlife Research Center, 317 West Prospect Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526-2097, USA. lisa.wolfe@state.co.us
Goshorn
Catherine T
CT
Baruch-Mordo
Sharon
S
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001376:Azaperone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology*
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009294:Narcotics; D001376:Azaperone; D020926:Medetomidine; D002077:Butorphanol