IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
| Fyumagwa, R.D.; Bugwesa, Z.K.; Mdkai, M.L.; Mpanduji, D.G.; Kllewo, M.; Hoare, R. | |
| Comparison of anaesthesia and cost of two immobilization protocols in free-ranging lions | |
| 2012 South African Journal of Wildlife Research (42): 67-70 | |
Two anaesthesia protocols with short-duration and partially reversible drug combinations were compared for anaesthesia quality and cardio-pulmonary dynamics in free-ranging lions (_Panthera leo_). A primary anaesthetic drug (ketamine) was separately combined with either of the two 2-adrenergic receptor agonists, medetomidine or detomidine. Thirty two lions were immobilized, half of which (16) received one of the two drug combination protocols, respectively. Seven quantitative and three subjective categories of data that were compared showed little overall difference in the quality of anaesthesia. However, use of the ancillary drug (detomidine) originally developed for sedation in domestic horses resulted in cost savings of up to five times over the one developed for domestic carnivores (medetomidine). Keeping drug costs down helps to lower the high cost of wild animal immobilizations and is thus particularly useful when routine or frequent capture is required. Short-acting reversible anaesthetics are much preferable in free-ranging situation for shortduration procedures to avoid prolonged recoveries previously experienced with non-reversible alternative anaesthetic agents (tiletamine-zolazepam). |
|
 |
PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here |
(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |