Case Report: Subclinical Verminous Pneumonia and High Ambient Temperatures Had Severe Impact on the Anesthesia of Semi-domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) With Medetomidine–Ketamine

Abstract

Semidomesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus, n = 21) were scheduled twice for chemical immobilization with medetomidine–ketamine as part of a scientific experiment in June 2014. During the first round of immobilizations, seven animals developed severe respiratory depression (RD). Three individuals died, and 4 recovered. The ambient temperature during the 2 days of immobilization (June 3 and 4) was high (mean 13.9–17.6°C) compared to the normal mean temperature for these 2 days (7–8°C) based on statistical records. During the second round of immobilizations, using the same anesthetic protocol for the remaining animals as in the first round but conducted under cooler conditions (mean 6.6°C for the period June 9–18), no signs of RD were observed. Clinical and pathological investigations indicated that the animals suffered from circulatory changes possibly caused by high ambient temperatures and granulomatous interstitial pneumonia due to Elaphostrongylus rangiferi larvae. These conditions, together with the cardiovascular effects of medetomidine, were likely causes of RD and the fatal outcome. We conclude that chemical immobilization of reindeer with medetomidine–ketamine should be avoided in May–June due to the potential risk when animals partly in winter coats encounter rising ambient temperatures and usually have parasites developing in their airways.

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

“…Different anaesthetic protocols have been described to ensure adequate restraint and safety of these wild species and veterinary healthcare personnel involved. 5,6,11,21,22,30 In addition to different anaesthetic agents, the use of hyaluronidase, a hydrolysing enzyme that depolymerises the hyaluronic acid and increases tissue permeability, in combination with analgesic and sedative agents have been described. The use of hyaluronidase in free and wild ruminants has shown to reduce immobilisation time, time to recumbency and to facilitate patient management.…”

“…Anaesthesia of non‐domestic ungulates such as the deer represents unique challenges for the anaesthetist, as some characteristics including relevant history, temperament and health status of the animal are often unknown. Different anaesthetic protocols have been described to ensure adequate restraint and safety of these wild species and veterinary healthcare personnel involved 5,6,11,21,22,30 . In addition to different anaesthetic agents, the use of hyaluronidase, a hydrolysing enzyme that depolymerises the hyaluronic acid and increases tissue permeability, in combination with analgesic and sedative agents have been described.…”

“…At the time of writing this report, limited literature regarding the anaesthetic management of captive non-domestic cervids is available, and only few of these publications focus on reindeer. [2][3][4][5][6] The selection of the best anaesthetic protocol in these species represents a challenge for the anaesthetist due to the limited published data regarding the pharmacology and adverse effects of anaesthetic drugs in these animals, and the often-unknown age, history, temperament and health conditions. Furthermore, environmental conditions of capture and handling, ambient temperature and stress conditions also represent an additional challenge for immobilisation of wild species.…”

“…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 .…”