Gaudio E, Laubscher LL, Pfitzer S, Raath JP, Hoffman LC, De Benedictis GM. Immobilization quality and cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine alone compared with etorphine-azaperone in blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi).
Vet Anaesth Analg 2020;
47:528-536. [PMID:
32507718 DOI:
10.1016/j.vaa.2019.10.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the immobilization quality and cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine alone compared with etorphine-azaperone in blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi).
STUDY DESIGN
Blinded, randomized, crossover design.
ANIMALS
A total of 12 boma-habituated female blesbok weighing [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] 57.5 ± 2.5 kg.
METHODS
Each animal was administered etorphine (0.09 mg kg-1) or etorphine-azaperone (0.09 mg kg-1; 0.35 mg kg-1) intramuscularly with 1-week intertreatment washout period. Time to first sign of altered state of consciousness and immobilization time were recorded. Physiological variables were recorded, arterial blood samples were taken during a 40-minute immobilization period, and naltrexone (mean ± SD: 1.83 ± 0.06 mg kg-1) was intravenously administered. Recovery times were documented, and induction, immobilization and recovery were subjectively scored. Statistical analyses were performed; p < 0.05 was significant.
RESULTS
No difference was observed in time to first sign, immobilization time and recovery times between treatments. Time to head up was longer with etorphine-azaperone (0.5 ± 0.2 versus 0.4 ± 0.2 minutes; p = 0.015). Etorphine caused higher arterial blood pressures (mean: 131 ± 17 versus 110 ± 11 mmHg, p < 0.0001), pH, rectal temperature and arterial oxygen partial pressure (59.2 ± 7.7 versus 42.2 ± 9.8 mmHg), but lower heart (p = 0.002) and respiratory rates (p = 0.01). Etorphine-azaperone combination led to greater impairment of ventilatory function, with higher end-tidal carbon dioxide (p < 0.0001) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (58.0 ± 4.5 versus 48.1 ± 5.1 mmHg). Immobilization quality was greater with etorphine-azaperone than with etorphine alone (median scores: 4 versus 3; p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Both treatments provided satisfactory immobilization of blesbok; however, in addition to a deeper level of immobilization, etorphine-azaperone caused greater ventilatory impairment. Oxygen supplementation is recommended with both treatments.
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