Abstract
Three medetomidine-based drug protocols were compared by evaluating time courses, reliability and physiological effects in wild boars. A total of 21 cage-trapped wild boars (Sus scrofa) were immobilized using one of the following drug combinations; MTZ: medetomidine (0.2 mg/kg) + tiletamine-zolazepam (2.0 mg/kg), MK: medetomidine (0.15 mg/kg) + ketamine (5 mg/kg), and MKB: medetomidine (0.1 mg/kg) + ketamine (5.0 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg). Induction time, recovery time, and physiological variables were recorded and arterial blood gas analysis measured twice, before and after 15 min of oxygen supplementation (0.5–1.0 L/min). For reversal, 4 mg of atipamezole per mg of medetomidine was administered intramuscularly. The boars recovered in the cage and were released once ataxia resolved. The MK group had significantly longer recovery times (mean 164 min ± 79 SD) compared to the other groups. MKB elicited longer and incomplete induction compared to the other groups (mean induction time 20 min ± 10 SD), decreasing the efficiency of the capture and increasing the risk of hyperthermia. Both ketamine-based protocols required additional ketamine intramuscularly to prolong the anesthesia after 20–40 min from induction. Agreement between the pulse oximeter and the blood gas analyzer was low, with the pulse oximeter underestimating the real values of arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation, particularly at higher readings. Mild acute respiratory acidosis (PaCO2 45–60 mmHg) and mild to moderate hypoxemia (PaO2 69–80 mmHg) occurred in most boars, regardless of the treatment group but especially in the MKB group. The acid-base status improved and hypoxemia resolved in all boars during oxygen supplementation, with the PaO2 rising above the physiological reference range (81.6–107.7 mmHg) in many individuals. MK and MKB induced safe and reliable immobilization of wild boars for at least 20 min. Supplemental oxygen delivery is recommended in order to prevent hypoxemia in wild boars immobilized with the protocols used in the present study. Long and ataxic recoveries occurred in most animals, regardless of the protocol, but especially in the MKB group.
Highlights
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are frequently captured and either physically or chemically restrained for research and management purposes [1, 2]
Trapping of multiple animals in the same cage occurred in three cases and all the individuals suitable for the study were immobilized at the same time
As the bar graph on the pulse oximeter display evaluating the pulse amplitude is assessed subjectively by the reader, further inaccuracy due to anomalies in the probe-oxyhemoglobin interface could not be always ruled out. Evaluating both advantages and disadvantages of the three anesthetic protocols, we have demonstrated that ketaminebased protocols were reliable to safely immobilize wild boars to carry out short procedures
Summary
Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are frequently captured and either physically or chemically restrained for research and management purposes [1, 2]. Anesthesia is a more complex state than chemical immobilization and is defined as “drug-induced unconsciousness that is characterized by controlled but reversible depression of the central nervous system and perception. In this state, the patient is not arousable by noxious stimulation” [3]. By choosing a balanced anesthetic combination that includes an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, such as xylazine or medetomidine, these side effects can be alleviated [4]. Medetomidine improves muscle relaxation and potentiates the primary anesthetic drugs so that its dose can be reduced. Butorphanol, an opioid, has been used as an adjunct to further improve anesthesia and reduce dose requirements of the other drugs used in a combination [8,9,10]
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