Dexmedetomidin-midazolambutorfanol kombináció hatásai vörös rókák (Vulpes vulpes) anesztéziája során

Abstract

Summary Background: There are different approaches to the sedation or anaesthesia of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Published drugs and drug combinations include ketamine plus different alpha2-agonists, tiletamine-zolazepam, medetomidinemidazolam, medetomidine-butorphanol-midazolam and medetomidine alone. Objectives: To evaluate the anaesthetic and physiological effects of a dexmedetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol combination in red foxes. Prospective study. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy, young adult (8–12 months old) male red foxes were included, average weight of the animals was 5.0 kg. Foxes were treated with 0.01 mg/kg dexmedetomidine, 0.57 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.45 mg/kg midazolam by hand given intramuscular injection. All animals were castrated using a prescrotal approach and 2 mg/kg lidocaine was applied subcutaneously and intratesticularly immediately after lateral recumbency was achieved to support analgesia. No oxygen supplementation was used for the procedures. Animals were given 0.1 mg/kg atipamezole intramuscularly at the end of procedure. 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam was applied at the end of surgery in all animals to give further analgesia. Results and Discussion: All of the animals reached light plain of surgical anaesthesia and intubation was possible. Average time to lateral recumbency was 12 minutes. Average heart rate was 88/min, respiratory rate 24/min, while blood oxygen saturation was 90% without oxygen supplementation. No major changes of these parameters were revealed with time. No electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities were observed. Animals were able to stand within five minutes from the application of atipamezole. No fatalities or emergencies were experienced in any animals and all of them recovered from surgery without complications.