The utility of a novel formulation of alfaxalone in a remote delivery system

ObjectiveTo quantify induction time, reliability, physiological effects, recovery quality and dart volume of a novel formulation of alfaxalone (40 mg mL^?1) used in combination with medetomidine and azaperone for the capture and handling of wild bighorn sheep.Study designProspective clinical study.AnimalsA total of 23 wild bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in Sheep River Provincial Park, AB, Canada.MethodsFree-ranging bighorn sheep were immobilized using medetomidine, azaperone and alfaxalone delivered with a remote delivery system. Arterial blood was collected for measurement of blood gases, physiologic variables (temperature, heart and respiratory rates) were recorded and induction and recovery length and quality were scored.ResultsData from 20 animals were included. Administered dose rates were alfaxalone (0.99 ± 0.20 mg kg^?1; 40 mg mL^?1), azaperone (0.2 ± 0.04 mg kg^?1; 10 mg mL^?1) and medetomidine (0.16 ± 0.03 mg kg^?1; 30 mg mL^?1). The mean drug volume injected was 1.51 mL. The median (range) induction time was 7.7 (5.8–9.7) minutes, and recovery was qualitatively smooth.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAn increased concentration formulation of alfaxalone was administered in combination with medetomidine and azaperone, and resulted in appropriate anesthesia for the capture and handling of bighorn sheep. The dart volume was small, with potential for reducing capture-related morbidity.     

Accelerated induction of etorphine immobilization in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) through the addition of hyaluronidase

ObjectiveTo study the effects of the addition of hyaluronidase (HA) to an etorphine/azaperone drug combination on induction times of immobilization.Study designExperimental part-randomized ‘blinded’ cross-over study.AnimalsEight wild managed blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).MethodsAnimals were immobilized, on separate occasions separated by two weeks, with one of four treatments. Treatments were; ‘Control drugs (CD), etorphine 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹; treatment 1 CD + 5000IU HA; treatment 2 CD + 7500 IU HA; and treatment 3 etorphine 0.007 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.07 mg kg⁻¹ + 7500 IU HA. Times to first effect and to immobilization (from darting to possible to approach and blindfold) were measured. anova was used to compare treatments. Results are given in means ± SD (range).ResultsFor control, and treatments 1–3 respectively, times (in minutes) to first effect were 1.58 ± 0.42 (1.02–2.10), 1.64 ± 0.42 (0.95–2.17), 1.12 ± 0.24 (0.80–1.48) and 1.60 ± 0.21 (1.13–1.88) and to immobilization were 5.38 ± 1.53 (3.82–8.07), 3.80 ± 1.14 (2.02–5.50), 3.51 ± 1.08 (2.28–5.52) and 4.46 ± 0.67 (3.30–5.40). Compared to control, time to first effect for treatment 2 was significantly shorter. Time to immobilization was significantly quicker in all three treatments containing HA than that for control.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyaluronidase can reduce the time to immobilization when used in the immobilizing dart, and might be usefully incorporated into etorphine combinations for darting wildlife.     

兽肉组织中氮哌酮和氮哌醇的残留检测方法研究进展

针对兽用镇定剂在动物组织中的残留现状,综述了动物组织样品中氮哌酮和氮哌醇的样品前处理技术、分析检测技术,为动物食品安全检测提供依据。     

Immobilization quality and cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine alone compared with etorphine–azaperone in blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the immobilization quality and cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine alone compared with etorphine–azaperone in blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi).Study designBlinded, randomized, crossover design.AnimalsA total of 12 boma-habituated female blesbok weighing [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] 57.5 ± 2.5 kg.MethodsEach animal was administered etorphine (0.09 mg kg^–1) or etorphine–azaperone (0.09 mg kg^–1; 0.35 mg kg^–1) intramuscularly with 1-week intertreatment washout period. Time to first sign of altered state of consciousness and immobilization time were recorded. Physiological variables were recorded, arterial blood samples were taken during a 40-minute immobilization period, and naltrexone (mean ± SD: 1.83 ± 0.06 mg kg^–1) was intravenously administered. Recovery times were documented, and induction, immobilization and recovery were subjectively scored. Statistical analyses were performed; p < 0.05 was significant.ResultsNo difference was observed in time to first sign, immobilization time and recovery times between treatments. Time to head up was longer with etorphine–azaperone (0.5 ± 0.2 versus 0.4 ± 0.2 minutes; p = 0.015). Etorphine caused higher arterial blood pressures (mean: 131 ± 17 versus 110 ± 11 mmHg, p < 0.0001), pH, rectal temperature and arterial oxygen partial pressure (59.2 ± 7.7 versus 42.2 ± 9.8 mmHg), but lower heart (p = 0.002) and respiratory rates (p = 0.01). Etorphine–azaperone combination led to greater impairment of ventilatory function, with higher end-tidal carbon dioxide (p < 0.0001) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (58.0 ± 4.5 versus 48.1 ± 5.1 mmHg). Immobilization quality was greater with etorphine-azaperone than with etorphine alone (median scores: 4 versus 3; p < 0.0001).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth treatments provided satisfactory immobilization of blesbok; however, in addition to a deeper level of immobilization, etorphine–azaperone caused greater ventilatory impairment. Oxygen supplementation is recommended with both treatments.     

Evaluation of butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine (BAM) in captive blesbok immobilization (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)

Objective

The fixed-dose combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (BAM; 30, 12 and 12 mg mL^?1, respectively) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone–atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi).

Comparison of the effects of butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine and butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine in wild common palm civets (Paradoxurus musangus)

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine (BAM) and butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine (BMM) protocols for immobilization of wild common palm civets (Paradoxurus musangus) with subsequent antagonization with atipamezole.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded clinical trial.AnimalsA total of 40 adult wild common palm civets, 24 female and 16 male, weighing 1.5–3.4 kg.MethodsThe civets were randomly assigned for anesthesia with butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (0.6, 0.6 and 0.2 mg kg^–1, respectively; group BAM) or with butorphanol, midazolam and medetomidine (0.3, 0.4 and 0.1 mg kg^–1, respectively; group BMM) intramuscularly (IM) in a squeeze cage. When adequately relaxed, the trachea was intubated for oxygen administration. Physiological variables were recorded every 5 minutes after intubation. Following morphometric measurements, sampling, microchipping and parasite treatment, medetomidine was reversed with atipamezole at 1.0 or 0.5 mg kg^–1 IM to groups BAM and BMM, respectively. Physiological variables and times to reach the different stages of anesthesia were compared between groups.ResultsOnset time of sedation and recumbency was similar in both groups; time to achieve complete relaxation and tracheal intubation was longer in group BAM. Supplementation with isoflurane was required to enable intubation in five civets in group BAM and one civet in group BMM. All civets in group BAM required topical lidocaine to facilitate intubation. End-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure was lower in group BAM, but heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation and mean arterial blood pressure were not different. All civets in both groups recovered well following administration of atipamezole.Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth BAM and BMM combinations were effective for immobilizing wild common palm civets. The BMM combination had the advantage of producing complete relaxation that allowed intubation more rapidly.     

Evaluation of BAM (butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine) in captive African lion (Panthera leo) immobilization

Objective

The combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (BAM) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone–yohimbine or naltrexone–atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive African lions (Panthea leo).