Anaesthetic management in adult fallow deer undergoing orthopaedic surgery

Abstract

Bambi, an adult female captive fallow deer (Dama dama), was presented to Beirut Pet Hospital in March 2021 for left metacarpal fracture. Bambi appeared to be exceptionally tolerant to physical restraint, so examination and preparation were performed carefully in a quiet room to avoid stress‐induced hyperthermia. Bambi was injected with butorphanol–medetomidine combination intravenously, followed by induction with diazepam and ketamine. Surgical anaesthesia and analgesia were maintained under isoflurane and a continuous rate infusion of fentanyl. Fracture reduction was employed followed by internal fixation, and the anaesthetic protocol was effective at maintaining deep anaesthesia and controlling pain allowing a good recovery. Limited data are found in the literature describing deer species undergoing orthopaedic surgeries under general anaesthesia. This case report represents an effective anaesthetic protocol that could be considered in cervids admitted to the veterinary clinics for orthopaedic surgeries.

Anaesthetic management in adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) undergoing exploratory laparotomy for jejuno‐jejunal intussusception surgery resection

“…The combination of α2-adrenoreceptor agonists and butorphanol has been demonstrated in different studies to be effective in order to provide good sedative and analgesic effect, because of their synergistic effect. 10,12,15 Doses chosen in the present case were lower than those described in previously published literature (0.05-0.2 mg/kg medetomidine alone or 0.03-0.125 mg/kg combined with ketamine) 9,13,16 due to the clinical deterioration of the deer during hospitalisation and ease to handle him. In addition, ambient temperature at the moment of general anaesthesia and surgical intervention was characteristic of winter conditions, which has been associated with lower dose requirements compared to higher ambient temperature conditions.…”

“…The drugs of choice for premedication included medetomidine and butorphanol. The combination of α2‐adrenoreceptor agonists and butorphanol has been demonstrated in different studies to be effective in order to provide good sedative and analgesic effect, because of their synergistic effect 10,12,15 . Doses chosen in the present case were lower than those described in previously published literature (0.05–0.2 mg/kg medetomidine alone or 0.03–0.125 mg/kg combined with ketamine) 9,13,16 due to the clinical deterioration of the deer during hospitalisation and ease to handle him.…”

“…To achieve these goals, different drug choices have been described, including the use of different α 2 -receptor agonists (medetomidine, dexmedetomidine, xylazine) and combinations of α 2 -receptor agonists with opioids (butorphanol), and/or dissociative anaesthetics such as ketamine, and tiletamine/zolazepam combinations in both captive and wild deer. 6,[9][10][11][12][13][14] The addition of hyaluronidase to different anaesthetic protocols has also been described in wildlife species to facilitate capture. [15][16][17][18] Nevertheless, while these drug combinations have been reported more often during field anaesthesia, procedures that require longer anaesthesia duration demand a constant control of anaesthetic plane, which can be accomplished with inhalant anaesthetic agents.…”

“…Therefore, the goals of anaesthesia in cervids include the use of effective and reliable anaesthetics, predictable, reversible, with a rapid onset of action and minimal adverse effects. To achieve these goals, different drug choices have been described, including the use of different α 2 ‐receptor agonists (medetomidine, dexmedetomidine, xylazine) and combinations of α 2 ‐receptor agonists with opioids (butorphanol), and/or dissociative anaesthetics such as ketamine, and tiletamine/zolazepam combinations in both captive and wild deer 6,9–14 . The addition of hyaluronidase to different anaesthetic protocols has also been described in wildlife species to facilitate capture 15–18 .…”