Abstract
Asiatic lions (Panthera Leo Persica) and hybrid lions are often subjected to chemical immobilization and anaesthesia for various measures related to conservation and elective and emergency surgical procedures by veterinarians. Management of long term anaesthesia has been carried out under using injectable anaesthetics and ancillary drugs which pose problems due to change in depth of anaesthesia and alteration in homeostasis leading to stress and stress related complications. Significantly higher dose (p < 0.05) of xylazine and ketamine was required in sub-adult lions (1.08±0.10 and 2.70±0.26 mg/kg body weight) than adult lions (1.06±0.30 and 2.64±0.08 mg/kg body weight) for immobilization. Similarly lions required higher dose (p < 0.05) of xylazine and ketamine (1.08±0.07 and 2.71±0.16 mg/kg body weight) than lioness (1.04±0.40 and 2.61±0.10 mg/kg body weight) for immobilization irrespective of body weights. Ketamine and propofol (2 &1 mg/kg iv) could be used as induction agents. Propofol induction was safe for oral digital palpation of glottis and intubation. Isoflurane provided smooth maintenance. This work is useful for wildlife veterinarians.
Highlights
Chemical immobilization and anaesthesia is an integral component in conservation, diagnostic and surgical procedures in wild animal species
Immobilization The dose of xylazine and ketamine required for immobilization in young lions (1.08±0.10 and 2.70±0.26 mg/kg body weight) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that required for adult lions (1.06±0.30 and 2.64±0.08 mg/ kg body weight)
The absence of ear flick reflex could be an indicator for safe approach for which the time factor between recumbency and absence of ear flick reflex and the requirement of further incremental doses of xylazine and ketamine to abolish the ear flick reflex should be considered judiciously
Summary
Chemical immobilization and anaesthesia is an integral component in conservation, diagnostic and surgical procedures in wild animal species. The risks involved in chemical immobilization and anaesthesia in lions are loss of thermoregulation, rigidity, depressed respiration, shock, unpredictable recovery, delayed recovery and convulsions (Wack, 2003; Gunkel and Lafortune, 2008). Used anaesthetic drugs; ketamine and tiletamine often induce convulsions in lions. Ketamine has a shorter duration of action and has the disadvantages of poor muscle relaxation, excessive salivation and lack of specific antagonistic to reverse the action. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists are combined as adjunct to promote the analgesic action, muscle relaxation, increase the duration of immobilization and to reduce the dose of ketamine (Swan, 1993). Propofol is an alkyl phenol, ultra-short acting non-barbiturate, which readily induces reliable anaesthesia in one armbrain circulation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
