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

Abstract

This study was undertaken to identify a drug combination that provided a suitable plane of anesthesia and pain suppression and reduced recovery time for minor surgical procedures in raccoons. In fall 2004, 40 wild Raccoons (Procyon lotor) were chemically immobilized using ketamine hydrochloride combined with either xylazine or medetomidine hydrochloride. Immobilizing treatments within and between drug types were compared in terms of induction, arousal and recovery times. The ketamine-xylazine (KX) group (n = 20) was given a combination of 20 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride and 2 mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride by body weight, and the effects on induction, arousal and recovery time were recorded with and without the antagonist yohimbine hydrochloride. The ketamine-medetomidine (KM) group (n = 20) was given a combination of 5 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride and 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine hydrochloride by body weight, and induction, arousal and recovery times were recorded with and without the use of the antagonist atipamezole hydrochloride. Administration of yohimbine hydrochloride at 0.1 mg/kg body weight to the KX group and atipamezole hydrochloride at 0.25 mg/kg body weight to the KM group produced considerably shorter arousal and recovery times in the KM group (P = 0.016). Mean arousal and recovery time with standard deviations ± ( SD ) for the KX group with yohimbine hydrochloride antagonist were 36.10 ± 10.69 and 94.2 ± 23.18 minutes; for the KM group with atipamezole hydrochloride antagonist, they were 7.95 ± 3.94 and 65.58 ± 14.75 respectively. At these doses, the KM combination reversed with atipamezole hydrochloride significantly reduced arousal and recovery times and resulted in a quality of anesthesia that would allow safe tooth and blood extraction in Raccoons.

Semen collection in Rusa timorensis under general anaesthesia by using ketamine-xylazine: Clinical study

“…Yohimbine was reported to provide smoother recovery and shorter arousal post anaesthesia (21). Due to slower absorption of Ketamine-Xylazine in intramuscular route and residual drug effects, prolonged recovery is expected (39). Subsequently, the recovery with Yohimbine was slower in intramuscular route with lower heart rate post anaesthesia at 65.0 ± 5.0 beats/min as opposed to intravenous 119.8 ± 2.0 beats/min.…”

Capturing and Marking Raccoons for Individual Recognition in Camera Studies using Tail‐fur Clipping and Dyes

“…The typical processing time (ca. 0.8 hr with dyeing; 0.1 hr with fur clipping alone) compares well with the ≥1‐hr handling and animal recovery times using chemical immobilization and recovery antagonists (Allan 2015). Further, because sedating drugs were not used in this study, described methods do not entail the potential mortality and behavioral alteration risks sometimes associated with chemical use (Peterson et al 2003).…”

Gonadectomy in Raccoons: Anesthetic and Cardiorespiratory Effects of Two Ketamine-Based Pre-Anesthetic Protocols before Sevoflurane-Sufentanil

“…The selected dose of ketamine was lower than that used in other studies, such as when combined with acepromazine at doses between 8–10 mg/kg [ 12 ] or with xylazine at doses from 10 [ 30 ] to 20 mg/kg [ 16 ]. However, our ketamine dose was higher than the 5.5 mg/kg used in association with 55 µg/kg medetomidine [ 23 ], and the 5 mg/kg combined with 50 µg/kg dexmedetomidine before alfaxalone and isoflurane [ 31 ].…”

“…Several drugs and drug combinations have been reported to provide successful immobilization in raccoons, including saffan [ 8 ], succinylcholine chloride [ 9 ], tiletamine-zolazepam [ 10 , 11 ] and ketamine [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Drug mixtures may have synergistic effects on induction of general anesthesia with better recovery times when compared to single drug use, and these effects may vary among species [ 15 , 16 ]. So far, there’s no standardized anesthetic protocol, described as safe for both the operators and the animals, in raccoon immobilization.…”