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Immobilization of captive tigers ( Panthera tigris ) with a combination of tiletamine, zolazepam, and detomidine
Author(s) -
Laricchiuta P.,
De Monte V.,
Campolo M.,
Grano F.,
Crovace A.,
Staffieri F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.21157
Subject(s) - detomidine , atipamezole , panthera , biology , anesthesia , ataxia , veterinary medicine , medicine , endocrinology , predation , blood pressure , heart rate , medetomidine , neuroscience , paleontology
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of the administration of a combination of tiletamine‐zolazepam and detomidine (TZD) in 9 tigers ( Panthera tigris ). Nine captive tigers were immobilized with tiletamine‐zolazepam and detomidine administered intramuscularly. At the end of the procedure immobilization was partially reversed with atipamezole. Lateral recumbency was achieved in 15.6 ± 5.9 min. The median induction score [scored 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor)] was 1. The immobilization score [scored 1 (poor) to 6 (too deep)] was 5 (4–5) at all study times. After atipamezole administration, all tigers experienced severe ataxia and incoordination. Median recovery score [scored 1 (excellent) to 4 (poor)] was 2.5 (range 2–3). No neurologic and/or important adverse reactions were noticed within 5 days after recovery. The combination tiletamine‐zolazepam with detomidine proved to be effective in immobilizing captive healthy tigers but it maybe associated with hypertension and ataxia during recovery. Zoo Biol. 34:40–45, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals Inc.