Abstract
The optimal dose of medetomidine-ketamine-buprenorphine was determined in 25 Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) undergoing surgical implantation of a temperature logger into the abdominal cavity. At the end of anaesthesia, the squirrels were given atipamezole intramuscularly to reverse the effects of medetomidine. The mean dose of medetomidine was 67.6 +/- 9.2microg/kg, ketamine 13.6 +/- 1.9 mg/kg and buprenorphine 0.5 +/- 0.06 microg/kg. Induction time was 3.1 +/- 1.4 min. This produced surgical anaesthesia for 21 +/- 4.2 min. Atipamezole 232 +/- 92 microg/kg produced a rapid recovery. Squirrels were sternally recumbent in 3.5 +/- 2.2 min.
Highlights
The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) inhabits hot and arid areas of southern Africa
Squirrel no. 2 had a rough recovery characterised by excitement and the dose of ketamine was reduced for the following squirrels by 5 mg/kg
This study showed that a combination of medetomidine, ketamine and buprenorphine provided rapid surgical anaesthesia that was rapidly reversed at the end of the procedure with atipamezole
Summary
The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) inhabits hot and arid areas of southern Africa. Ground squirrels have been suggested to use both behavioural and physiological means to adapt to the extremes of temperature they encounter. They may use their tail as a parasol to reduce solar radiation[1] or retreat to cool burrows as a thermal refuge during the day[6] in order to regulate body temperature (Tb). The reason for anaesthetising the squirrels was to implant miniature temperature loggers BAnaesthesiology, Onderstepoort Academic Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa.
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