title: Reversible immobilization of giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) using medetomidine-ketamine and atipamezole.
abstract: This communication reports a partially reversible chemical immobilization protocol used for translocation and veterinary care in giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis; GO). Six GOs (three males and three females) weighing 24.8 +/- 4.0 kg (mean +/- SD) and ranging in age from 16 to 42 mo old were anesthetized with an i.m. combination of medetomidine (29 +/- 3 microg/kg) and ketamine (3.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg). To perform all procedures, two otters required an additional dose of ketamine (1.5 mg/kg). Anesthesia was reversed with atipamezole i.m. (147 +/- 14 mg/kg). The mean induction time and recovery times were 12 +/- 5 and 4 min (range, 0-9 min), respectively, with an anesthesia time of 47 +/- 16 min. According to these results, the combination of medetomidine (30 microg/kg i.m.) and ketamine (4 mg/kg i.m.) is a reasonable choice for inducing anesthesia in GOs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. bauquier@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Sébastien H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bauquier
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hinshaw
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ialeggio
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Sandra Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Perkowski
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007103:Immobilization / Q000662:veterinary*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010041:Otters
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D007649:Ketamine; D020926:Medetomidine