Chemical Immobilization of Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) With Ketamine-Medetomidine Mixture and Reversal With Atipamezole

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Safe and reliable capture techniques for wild animals are important for ecologic studies and management operations. We assessed the efficiency of ketamine-medetomidine (K:M) injection and reversal with atipamezole. We anesthetized 67 raccoons (Procyon lotor; 34 males, 33 females) 103 times (individuals captured between one and five times) from April 2009-October 2010 in Mont-Orford Provincial Park, Quebec, Canada. We administered a 1:1 mixture by volume of ketamine and medetomidine by intramuscular injection. Mean (6SD) induction times for males and females were 6.162.8 and 6.663.7 min, respectively. Mean induction time was 2 min longer for juveniles than for adults (7.863.9 and 5.862.9 min, respectively) and longer in autumn than in spring for adults (7.763.8 and 5.462.9 min, respectively). Recovery time after administration of atipamezole was 9.663.8 and 8.464.4 min for males and females, respectively. Recovery time was longer in spring than in autumn (10.264 and 7.463.8 min, respectively) for adults. Induction time increased by 166% after five captures of the same individual. Immobilization did not affect body mass, adult survival, or female reproductive success. We suggest the K:M mixture used is a safe and reliable method for anesthetizing raccoons in field conditions.

The use of ketamine-xylazine and ketamine-medetomidine with and without their antagonists, yohimbine and atipamezole hydrochloride to immobilize Raccoons (<em>Procyon lotor</em>) in Ontario, Canada

“…Similar results have been observed in Polar Bears, Sika (Cervus Nippon), Eurasian Otter, European Mink, European Polecat and Raccoons (Cattet et al 1997;Tsuruga et al 1999;Fernandez-Moran et al 2001;Fournier-Chambrillon et al 2003;Robert et al 2012). This was expected as atipamezole hydrochloride fully antagonizes the sedative and behavioural effects of medetomidine hydrochloride when administered at four to six times the medetomidine hydrochloride dose (Sinclair 2003).…”

“…This has been observed in seals and raccoons, where repeated exposure to ketamine and medetomidine increased induction time (Field et al 2002;Wheatley et al 2006;Robert et al 2012). In this study, an increase in induction during the second KX treatment was observed; however, no significant difference in induction time was observed in the KM group.…”

“…A study in Quebec observed longer induction time for Raccoons administered KM in the fall, indicating lower ambient temperature and increased body fat may affect drug absorption at this time of year (Baldwin et Robert et al 2012). In my study, the mean ambient temperature was almost 10°C cooler during the second treatment which might explain the much longer induction time observed in the KX group.…”

“…When combined with ketamine hydrochloride, medetomidine hydrochloride has been used effectively to chemically restrain a variety of other wildlife species (Tsuruga et al 1999;Haulena and Gulland 2001;Fernandez-Moran et al 2001;Dzialak et al 2002;Bieglböck and Zenker 2003;Fournier-Chambrillon et al 2003;Belant 2005;Robert et al 2012). The effects of this combination can be quickly reversed using the antagonist atipamezole hydrochloride and this procedure has demonstrated smooth induction, good immobilization and rapid recovery in Eurasian Otters, (Lutra lutra) European Mink (Mustela lutreola), Polecat (Mustela putorius) (Fernandez-Moran et al 2001;Fournier-Chambrillon et al 2003) and Raccoons (Robert et al 2012). The ketamine-medetomidine combination has been reported to provide a good level of anesthesia and muscle relaxation and a better quality of surgical anesthesia than a ketamine-xylaxine combination in rabbits (Henke et al 2005).…”

ORAL RABIES VACCINATION OF RACCOONS AND STRIPED SKUNKS WITH ONRAB® BAITS: MULTIPLE FACTORS INFLUENCE FIELD IMMUNOGENICITY

“…Traps were checked daily and each capture location was recorded with the use of a handheld global positioning system (GPS) unit. Raccoons and skunks were anesthetized following methods described by Robert et al (2012). Each animal was sexed and ear-tagged for identification.…”