Determination of echocardiographic parameters in spider monkey (Ateles spp.) collectives in captivity sedated with ketamine and midazolam

Andressa Kagohara,Mário Dos Santos Filho,Marcelo Dos Santos Vasconcelos,Daniel De Almeida Balthazar,Bárbara Souza Neil Magalhães,Fernando Troccoli,Alessandro Galhões,Jonimar Pereira Paiva

doi:10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm107120

Abstract

Nonhuman primates have long been studied and managed in research centers, zoos, and farms, but there is still a lack of information regarding their illnesses. The present study aimed to establish the echocardiographic parameters of normality among primates of the genus Ateles (spider monkey) that are housed at the Zoo of the City of Rio de Janeiro – RIOZOO Foundation. Nine specimens of the same species were used, 5 females and 4 males, that were clinically healthy, young adults, with an approximate captive age of 2 to 3 years, and an average weight of 8.5 kg. The animals were physically restrained with a net and soon after, chemical containment was carried out by means of an association of ketamine hydrochloride at a dose of 8 mg per kg and midazolam at 0.5 mg per kg, intramuscularly. The animals were submitted to chemical restraint to establish the clinical evaluation, blood collection for complete blood count and biochemical measurements, urine collection for urinalysis, chest X-ray in the ventro-dorsal and latero-lateral positions, and electrocardiographic exams, with all the parameters within the normal range, in addition to echocardiographic examination, which became the means by which the study parameters were acquired. During this examination, the following values were evaluated: cardiac output, ejection fraction, final cardiac volume, heart rate, left atrial diameter, aorta diameter, ratio between the diameters of the left atrium and aorta artery, thickness of the interventricular septum in diastole, diameter of the left ventricle in diastole, thickness of the free wall of the left ventricle in diastole, thickness of the interventricular septum in systole, diameter of the left ventricle in systole, thickness of the free wall of the left ventricle in the systole, left ventricular end systolic volume, left ventricular end diastolic volume, septum bending fraction, fraction of curving of the posterior wall, septal separation, and shortening fraction. With the data obtained, tables were drawn with the echocardiographic values of the species studied under sedation.

Highlights

The spider monkey (Ateles spp.) is a neotropical primate managed in several zoos, and its presence in such institutions helps in the environmental education of visitors as it is a means of conservation of this genus, whose species are under some degree of threat of extinction (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2020)
This study aimed to evaluate the echocardiographic parameters in spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) sedated with ketamine and midazolam and to establish values for comparison in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases in this genus
No clinical changes were observed during the physical examination, with the exception of one animal, which had an abdominal mass in the pubic region, suggestive of uterine neoplasia

Summary

Introduction

The spider monkey (Ateles spp.) is a neotropical primate managed in several zoos, and its presence in such institutions helps in the environmental education of visitors as it is a means of conservation of this genus, whose species are under some degree of threat of extinction (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 2020). Their presence in zoos is of great importance, as is the maintenance of their health. It provides accurate information with structural measurement of the heart and hemodynamic assessment throughout life, which complements the diagnosis (Fuentes, 2016; Tilley & Smith Junior, 2016)

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Conclusion