Comparison of four chemical restraint protocols in pacas

Abstract

Discussions about different anesthetic techniques designed for wild rodents, particularly neotropical species, are scarce in the literature. However, chemical restraint is required for management and medical procedures in these animals, due to their susceptibility to stress and their behavioral characteristics. This research evaluated quality and duration of chemical restraint of pacas (Cuniculus paca) using low doses of ketamine in association with xylazine (Group 1), xylazine and midazolam (Group 2), butorphanol and midazolam (Group 3), and azaperone and midazolam (Group 4). All doses were calculated by interspecific allometric scaling. In Group 1, recovery was disturbed and the moment of incapacity of manipulation occurred early. In Groups 2, 3 and 4, the duration of chemical restraint was higher. The best chemical restraint quality occurred in Group 2 (ketamine, xylazine and midazolam). Midazolam provided an extremely calm recovery, and afforded animals’ manipulation for prolonged time, even and after return of normal ambulation.