Abstract
Tissue residues were determined after intramuscular injection of butorphanol, azaperone, medetomidine, atipamezole, and naltrexone in 33 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). At day 11 post injection (PI), and day 21 PI, none of anesthetics or reversal drugs were detected ≥0.01 ppm in any of the liver and muscle samples tested.
Highlights
Chemical immobilizations are routinely used on free ranging and captive wild animals by wildlife biologists and veterinarians
These anesthetics and reversing drugs are labeled for use in traditional livestock, but in most of the situations with wildlife the same drugs are legally used in off-label procedures
Clearance times, and tissue residue levels for some of the above drugs have been established for some domesticated species [1,2,3,4], tissue residues have not been established for these drugs when used in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Summary
Chemical immobilizations are routinely used on free ranging and captive wild animals by wildlife biologists and veterinarians. Clearance times, and tissue residue levels for some of the above drugs have been established for some domesticated species [1,2,3,4], tissue residues have not been established for these drugs when used in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The levels of drug residues in the tissues of game animals like deer and elk that might be consumed by the public after the drug injection could be of some possible public health concern.
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