Evaluation of Anesthetic and Cardiorespiratory Effects after Intramuscular Administration of Three Different Doses of Telazol® in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

Marmosets’ small body size makes anesthesia challenging. Ideally, small volumes of drugs should be administered intramuscularly (i.m.). In addition, dose-dependent sedation and anesthesia are desirable properties for sedatives and anesthetics in marmosets. Telazol (tiletamine and zolazepam) is highly concentrated, allowing the use of small injection volumes and dose-dependent sedation and anesthesia. A randomized, blinded study with crossover design in ten healthy adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) was performed to evaluate the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of three doses of i.m. Telazol (respectively, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg). Depth of anesthesia, cardiorespiratory effects, and induction, immobilization, and recovery times were determined. There was a significant difference in immobilization time between 5 and 15 mg/kg of Telazol. In addition, 15 mg/kg of Telazol resulted in increased recovery times compared to 5 mg/kg. The cardiorespiratory effects during the first 45 min of immobilization were within clinically acceptable limits. The pedal withdrawal reflex was the best indicator of the anesthetic depth.