title: Behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of dexmedetomidine-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the behavior and some cardiopulmonary variables of dexmedetomidine-midazolam or dexmedetomidine-midazolam-butor-phanol in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes).
  
  
  METHODS
  Blinded, randomized design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen adult silver foxes, aged 7-9 months, weighting 6.0-9.2 kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine (50 μg kg-1) and midazolam (0.45 mg kg-1) (group DM) or to dexmedetomidine (30 μg kg-1), midazolam (0.45 mg kg-1) and butorphanol (0.25 mg kg-1) (group DMB), administered intramuscularly. Pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (fR), noninvasive arterial pressures, oxygen saturation (SpO2), rectal temperature (T) and behavioral scores (posture, sedation, antinociception, jaw relaxation and auditory response) were measured at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes after injection. Time from drug injection to recumbency with no response to stimuli (IT) and time from administration of atipamezole (0.2 mg kg-1) to standing with coordination (RT) were recorded. The occurrences of adverse events were recorded. Data were analyzed by two-tailed unpaired t-tests and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Significant differences were accepted at p<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for IT or RT. Arterial pressures were higher in DMB at each time point except at 5 minutes. PR was lower in DM at each time point except at 10 and 60 minutes. No significant difference was found between the groups for fR, SpO2and T. The behavioral scores were significantly lower (lower quality immobilization) in DMB at 5,10 and 60 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IT and RT were not different between the groups. Both protocols provided immobilization for 30-40 minutes with excellent muscle relaxation and analgesia adequate for clinical examinations and some simple surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Xiu
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Yuan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China. Electronic address: fanhonggang2002@163.com.
authors.forename: Hong-Gang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005589:Foxes; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D002077:Butorphanol; D008874:Midazolam; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: butorphanol; dexmedetomidine; immobilization; midazolam; silver fox