Development of a sedation protocol using orally administered tiletamine–zolazepam–acepromazine in free-roaming dogs. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Hsiao-Chun; Huang, Shih-Wei; Yu, Kuan-Hua; Wang, Jiann-Hsiung; Wu, Jui-Te
• Is Part Of: Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. Volume 44:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 1035
• Page End: 1041
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: acepromazine -- dogs -- flunitrazepam -- ketamine -- sedation -- tiletamine–zolazepam; Veterinary anesthesia -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2017.03.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2987

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the sedative effects in dogs of tiletamine–zolazepam–acepromazine (TZA) or ketamine–flunitrazepam (KF) administered orally and to evaluate the effectiveness of encapsulated TZA for capturing free-roaming dogs. Study design: Experimental study followed by a field trial. Animals: Six research dogs and 27 free-roaming dogs. Methods: In a pilot study, six research dogs were administered liquid TZA (20 mg kg −1 tiletamine–zolazepam and 2 mg kg −1 acepromazine) or liquid KF (50 mg kg −1 ketamine and 2 mg kg −1 flunitrazepam) orally: treatment 1, forcefully squirting liquid medication into the mouth; treatment 2, encapsulating liquid medication for administration in canned food; treatment 3, administering liquid medication mixed with gravy. Sedation was scored. A follow-up field trial attempted capture of 27 free-roaming dogs. Results: In the pilot study, the median time (range) to lateral recumbency (% dogs) after TZA administration was: treatment 1, 47.5 (35–80) minutes (67%); treatment 2, 30 (15–65) minutes (83%); and treatment 3, 75 (45–110) minutes (100%). No dogs in KF treatment 2 or 3 achieved lateral recumbency. Based on these results, 20 free-roaming dogs were offered encapsulated TZA in canned food: TZ (20 mg kg −1 ) and acepromazine (2 mg kg −1 ). Of these, no further drugs to four dogs (one dog captured), 10 dogs were administered a second dose within 30 minutes (five dogs captured) and six dogs were administered TZ (5 mg kg −1 ) and xylazine (1.1–2.2 mg kg −1 ) intramuscularly by blow dart (six dogs captured). Seven dogs were initially offered twice the TZA dose (five dogs captured). In total, 63% free-roaming dogs were captured after administration of encapsulated TZA in canned food. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Oral administration of encapsulated TZA in canned dog food can aid in the capture of free-roaming dogs, but additional drugs may be required. The sedation onset time and medication palatability influenced the capture rate.