title: Physiological and biochemical variables in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) immobilised with dexmedetomidine and ketamine or dexmedetomidine, midazolam and ketamine.
abstract: Physiological and biochemical variables in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) immobilised with dexmedetomidine and ketamine or dexmedetomidine, midazolam and ketamine were evaluated. Thirty tigers received either dexmedetomidine (0.025 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) (group DK) or dexmedetomidine (0.0125 mg/kg), midazolam (0.1 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) (group DMK). Heart rate, SPO2 and blood pressure were measured at five-minute intervals. Arterial pH, PO2, PCO2, glucose, K+ and arterial and venous lactate were measured at 15 and 45 minutes after immobilisation. A generalised linear mixed model was used for statistical comparison. There was no difference within or between groups at any time point for any measured variable. Measured PO2 was 73.2±17.5 mm Hg and SPO2 was 88.9±10.8 per cent. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressures were 170.5±48.4, 138.9±41.8 and 121.8±37.2 mm Hg, respectively. Venous lactate was higher than arterial lactate within groups at each time point. Seizure-like behaviour was observed in 25 per cent of tigers in group DK but not in group DMK. The addition of midazolam into a protocol for immobilisation of tigers did not result in a difference in any of the measured variables but may have prevented the development of seizure-like behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, MC-004, Urbana, Illinois, 61802, USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clark-Price
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, MC-004, Urbana, Illinois, 61802, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lascola
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, MC-004, Urbana, Illinois, 61802, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
mesh_terms: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000502:physiology*; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D046010:Tigers / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D007649:Ketamine; D008874:Midazolam
keywords: dexmedetomidine; immobilization; ketamine; midazolam; tiger