Abstract
ObjectiveTo characterize the cardiopulmonary characteristics of two different anaesthetic protocols (tiletamine/zolazepam ± medetomidine) and their suitability for the immobilization of healthy chimpanzees undergoing cardiac assessment. Study designProspective, clinical, longitudinal study. AnimalsSix chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) aged 4–16 years weighing 19.5–78.5 kg were anaesthetized on two occasions. MethodsAnaesthesia was induced with tiletamine/zolazepam (TZ) (3–4 mg kg–1) or tiletamine/zolazepam (2 mg kg–1) and medetomidine (0.02 mg kg–1) (TZM) via blow dart [intramuscular (IM)] and maintained with intermittent boluses of ketamine (IV) or zolazepam/tiletamine (IM) as required. The overall quality of the anaesthesia was quantified based on scores given for: quality of induction, degree of muscle relaxation and ease of intubation. The time to achieve a light plane of anaesthesia, number of supplemental boluses needed and recovery characteristics were also recorded. Chimpanzees were continuously monitored and heart rate (HR), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (fR) oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO2), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), rectal temperature, mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time recorded. During the first procedure (TZ) animals underwent a 12-channel electrocardiogram (ECG), haematology, biochemistry and cardiac biomarker assessment to rule out the presence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease. A detailed echocardiographic examination was carried out by the same blinded observer during both procedures. Data were compared using Student’s paired t-test or Wilcoxon rank tests as appropriate. ResultsThere was a significant difference for the area under the curves between anaesthetic protocols for HR, SAP, MAP and fR. No significant differences in the echocardiographic measurements were evident. Quality of anaesthesia was significantly better with TZM and no additional boluses were required. The TZ protocol required multiple supplemental boluses. Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth combinations are suitable for immobilization and cardiovascular evaluation of healthy chimpanzees. Further work is required to evaluate the effect of medetomidine in cardiovascular disease.
Highlights
The topic of cardiovascular disease among chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) has featured heavily in the zoological literature in recent years (Strong et al 2016) being identified as a major cause of mortality across all the great ape taxa
Pro-active screening is key to identifying affected animals early in the disease process, but the size and dangerous nature of the animals necessitates that cardiac assessments are usually performed under anaesthesia (Cerveny & Sleeman 2014)
There was no significant difference in the time taken to achieve a light plane of anaesthesia between the two protocols, the quality of anaesthetic induction was significantly better for TZM (p = 0.0312)
Summary
The topic of cardiovascular disease among chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and bonobos (Pan paniscus) has featured heavily in the zoological literature in recent years (Strong et al 2016) being identified as a major cause of mortality across all the great ape taxa. Affected animals often do not display clinical signs, presenting only as cases of sudden death (Lammey et al 2008). For this reason, pro-active screening is key to identifying affected animals early in the disease process, but the size and dangerous nature of the animals necessitates that cardiac assessments are usually performed under anaesthesia (Cerveny & Sleeman 2014). Medetomidine use remains controversial given anecdotal reports that it impedes meaningful echocardiographic interpretation and, may contribute to increased perioperative mortality in those animals with pre-existing heart disease
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