Immobilization of Asiatic Black Bears ( Ursus thibetanus ) with Medetomidine-Zolazepam-Tiletamine in South Korea.
The Asiatic black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ; ABB) is a globally endangered species for which a restoration program has been ongoing in South Korea since 2001. However, there is little information on immobilization protocols for ABBs. We evaluated the use of medetomidine-zolazepam-tiletamine for their immobilization. During 2005-13, we anesthetized 60 ABBs (32 males, 28 females; 7 mo to 12 yr old) with medetomidine 0.03-0.045 mg/kg and zolazepam-tiletamine 1.54-2.3 mg/kg; reversal of anesthesia was done with atipamezole 0.15-0.225 mg/kg administered intravenously alone or intravenously and intramuscularly (50:50). Mean (and SD) for physiologic collected for 373 immobilizations of at least 60 min were: time to sedation, 7.8 (5.4) min; anesthesia induction time, 13.7 (8.1) min; complete recovery time, 14.8 (12.4) min; respiratory rate, 14 (7) breaths/min; heart rate, 51 (16) beats/min; rectal temperature, 37.3 (1.3) C; and hemoglobin oxygen saturation, 88% (6%). Few cardiopulmonary side effects occurred during immobilization and adequate depth of anesthesia was maintained for >60 min without need for supplementation. The dosage and drug combination used was effective for immobilization of ABBs with minimal adverse effects on vital signs and can be recommended in most clinical applications.
1 Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service, Hwaeomsaro 402-31, Gurye 57616, Republic of Korea.
Dong-Hyuk
DH
Jeong
1 Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service, Hwaeomsaro 402-31, Gurye 57616, Republic of Korea.
Jeong-Jin
JJ
Yang
2 Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery and Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinjudaero 501, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
Seong-Hoon
SH
Seok
1 Species Restoration Technology Institute, Korea National Park Service, Hwaeomsaro 402-31, Gurye 57616, Republic of Korea.
Byeung-Cheul
BC
Song
2 Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery and Behavior, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinjudaero 501, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
Seong-Chan
SC
Yeon
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007103:Immobilization / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012119:Respiration; D013992:Tiletamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001503:Ursidae; D015041:Zolazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013992:Tiletamine; D015041:Zolazepam; D020926:Medetomidine
Alpha-2 agonist; Asiatic black bear; Ursus thibetanus; anesthesia; immobilization; medetomidine; tiletamine; zolazepam