Compared to etorphine–azaperone, the ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine combination is also effective at immobilizing zebra (Equus zebra). (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stemmet, Gideon P.; Meyer, Leith CR.; Bruns, Angela; Buss, Peter; Zimmerman, David; Koeppel, Katja; Zeiler, Gareth E.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. Volume 46:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 466
• Page End: 475
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: butorphanol -- Equus zebra -- immobilisation -- ketamine -- medetomidine -- zebra; Veterinary anesthesia -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.01.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2987

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To compare immobilization efficacy of a nonpotent opioid drug combination, ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine (KBM) to the preferred etorphine–azaperone (EA) combination in zebras. Study design: Randomized crossover trial. Animals: A group of ten adult zebra (six females and four male). Methods: KBM and EA were administered once to the zebras in random order by dart, 3 weeks apart. Once a zebra was recumbent and instrumented, physiological parameters were measured and recorded at 5-minute intervals until 20 minutes. Antagonist drugs were administered at 25 minutes. KBM was antagonised using atipamezole (7.5 mg mg −1 medetomidine dose) and naltrexone (2 mg mg −1 butorphanol dose). EA was antagonized using naltrexone (20 mg mg −1 etorphine dose). Induction and recovery (following antagonist administration) times were recorded. Physiological parameters, including invasive blood pressure and blood gas analysis, were compared between combinations using a general linear mixed model. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range). Results: The doses of KBM and EA administered were 3.30 ± 0.18, 0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mg kg −1 ; and 0.02 ± 0.001 and 0.20 ± 0.01 mg kg −1, respectively. KBM and EA induction times were 420 (282–564) and 240 (204–294) seconds, respectively ( p = 0.03). Zebras remained recumbent throughout the study procedures. Systolic blood pressure (226 ± 42 and 167 ± 42 mmHg) and oxygen partial pressure (64 ± 12 and 47 ± 13 mmHg) were higher for KBM compared to EA ( p < 0.01). Recovery time, after administering antagonists, was 92 (34–1337) and 26 (22–32) seconds for KBM and EA, respectively ( p = 0.03). Conclusions and clinical relevance: Compared to EA, KBM also immobilized zebras effectively. Systemic hypertension and moderate hypoxaemia are clinical concerns of KBM and severe hypoxaemia is a concern of EA. This occurrence of hypoxaemia highlights the importance of oxygen administration during immobilization.