Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.50

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.4 (2024)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Submit

Research Article

Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 52 issue 8 (august 2018) : 1236-1239

Clinical evaluation of xylazine and ketamine for immobilization of the captive Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris)

Boon Allwin, M.G. Jayathangaraj, Bhaskaran Ravi Latha, K.Vijayarani, S.Vairamuthu
1Zoo Veterinarian, Zoo Veterinary Hospital, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandaloor, Chennai-600 048, Tamil Nadu, India
Cite article:- Allwin Boon, Jayathangaraj M.G., Latha Ravi Bhaskaran, K.Vijayarani, S.Vairamuthu (2018). Clinical evaluation of xylazine and ketamine for immobilization of the captive Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris). Indian Journal of Animal Research. 52(8): 1236-1239. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3325.

ABSTRACT

It is always been a challenging task to immobilize wild felids and there are limited information regarding the anaesthetic protocol to be used in tigers in both captive and free ranging conditions and many complications are encountered due to the vast variations in estimating the actual body weight. This paper aims at presenting a standard protocol of immobilizing captive Bengal tigers with a combination of injection xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride at a dose rate of 1mg/kg and 3 mg/kg respectively. Time (Mean ± SE) taken for ataxia was shorter 2.28±0.22, lateral recumbency was 3.01±0.44 and abolishment of ear flick reflex was 3.55 ± 0.10 minutes. The duration of anaesthesia (Mean ± SE) was 39.50 ± 0.48 minutes and recovery time was 44.17 ± 0.51 minutes. This protocol of using xylazine and ketamine has resulted in smooth and relatively rapid induction, smooth recovery and a sufficient first reaction time for emergency as well as elective interventions with no incidents of sudden recovery or any life-threatening effects during or after the immobilization procedure. The findings are discussed.

REFERENCES

  1. Allwin, B., Nag, P.B.S., Kalaignan, P.A., Gokarn, N.S. and Gopikrishnan. D. (2016): Clinical evaluation of ketamine hydrochloride for immobilization in Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata). J. Vet. Sci. Technol. 7, 357.
  2. Belsare A.V. and Athreya, R.V. (2010): Use of xylazine hydrochloride-ketamine Hydrochloride for immobilization of wild leopards (panthera pardus fusca) in emergency situations. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 41(2), 331–333.
  3. Belsare, A.V. and Vanak A.T. (2013): Use of xylazine hydrochloride–ketamine hydrochloride for immobilization of Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis) in field situations. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 44, 753–755.
  4. Ebedes, G. and Grobler M. (1979): The restraint of the Cape Hunting dog Lycaon pictus with phencyclidine hydrochloride and ketamine hydrochloride. J. South Afr. Vet. Assoc. 50,113–114.
  5. Epstein, A., White, R., Horowtiz, I.H., Hass, P.H. and Ofri, R. (2002): Effects of propofol as an anaesthetic agent in adult lions (Panthera leo): a comparison with two established protocols. Res. Vet. Sci. 72, 137-140.
  6. Fahlman, A. (2005): Anaesthesia of wild carnivores and primates. Physiological effects and reversibility of medetomidine and dissociative anaesthetics. Licentiate thesis submitted to Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.
  7. Fahlman, A. (2008): Advances in wildlife immobilization and anaesthesia. Clinical and physiological evaluation in selected species. Doctoral thesis submitted to Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala
  8. Ferreras, P., Aldama, J.J. and Beltran, J.F. (1994): Immobilization of the endangered Iberian lynx with xylazine- and ketaminehydrochloride. J.Wildl. Dis. 30, 65–68.
  9. Fowler, M. E., (1986). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, 2nd edn. W.B. Saunders Company, Hong Kong. pp. 831.
  10. Grove, D. M. and Ramsay, E.C. (2000): Sedative and physiologic effects of orally administered alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonists and ketamine in cats. JAVMA 217, 467–468.
  11. Hikasa, Y., T. Akiba, Y. IINO (1992): Central Alpla- adrenoceptor subtypes involved in the emetic pathway in cats. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 229, 241–251.
  12. Jacquier, M., Aarhaug, P., Arnemo, J.M. (2003): Reversible immobilization of free – ranging African lions (Panthera leo) with medetomidine – tiletamine-zolazepam and atipamezole. J. Wildl. Dis. 42, 432-436.
  13. Jalanka, H. H. (1990): Medetomidine- and medetomidine-ketamineinduced immobilization in blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) and its reversal by atipamezole. Acta Vet. Scand. 31, 63-71.
  14. Jessup, D.A. (1982): Restraint and chemical immobilization of carnivores and furbearers. In:. Chemical Immobilization of North American Wildlife. [Nielsen L, Haigh J, Fowler MF] Wisconsin Humane Society, Madison,WI: pp. 227–244.
  15. Kreeger, T.J. and Seal, U.S. (1986): Immobilization of coyotes with xylazine–hydrochloride-ketamine hydrochloride and antagonism by yohimbine-hydrochloride. J. Wildl. Dis. 22, 604–606.
  16. Logan, K.A., Thorne, E.T. and Irwin, L.L. (1986): Immobilizing wild mountain lions (Felis concolor) with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride. J. Wildl. Dis. 97–103.
  17. Maze, M. adn Tranquilli, W. (1991): Alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists: defining the role in clinical anesthesia. Anesthesiology 74, 581–605.
  18. Meltzer, D. G. A. (1999): Medical management of a cheetah breeding facility in South Africa. In: Zoo and Wild Life Animal Medicine: Current therapy, Fowler, M. and R. E. Miller, eds., 4th ed. WB Saunders, Philadelphia. p. 415-435.
  19. Nielsen, L. (1999): Chemical immobilization of Wild and Exotic Animals. Ames, IA: Iowa State University.
  20. Quigley, K. S., Armstrong, D.L. and Miquelle, D.G. (2001): Health evaluation of wild Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) in the Russian Far East.Proceedings of the AAZV, AAWV, ARAV, NAZWV J    oint Conference, Orlando, FL, 2001.
  21. hurmon, J.C., Tranquilli, W.J. and G.J. Benson (1996). Anesthesia of wild, exotic, and laboratory animals. In: Thurmon JC, Tranquilli WJ, Benson GJ, eds., Lumb and Jones’ Veterinary Anesthesia, 3rd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, pp. 686–735.
  22. Tomizawa, N., Tsujimoto, T. and K. Itoh (1997): Chemical restraint of African lions (Panthera leo) with medetomidine-ketamine. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 59, 307–310.
  23. Wack, R. F. (2003): Felidae. In: Fowler, M. E and Miller, R. E. eds. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. 5th ed. W. B. Sounders, St 
Reviewed By

Download Article
In this Article
    Contact us
    Follow us

    Editorial Board

    View all (0)