1. IMMOBILIZING MUSKOX ( OVIBOS MOSCHATUS) UNDER HIGH ARCTIC CONDITIONS.
- Author
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Grøndahl C, Andersen-Ranberg EU, Mosbacher JB, Stelvig M, Hansen LH, and Schmidt NM
- Subjects
- Anesthesia methods, Animals, Arctic Regions, Etorphine administration & dosage, Female, Greenland, Immobilization methods, Ketamine administration & dosage, Medetomidine administration & dosage, Xylazine administration & dosage, Anesthesia veterinary, Hypnotics and Sedatives administration & dosage, Immobilization veterinary, Ruminants physiology
- Abstract
Immobilizing and handling large, free-ranging animals without proper facilities in harsh environmental conditions poses significant challenges. During two field expeditions, a total of 29 female muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus) were immobilized in Northeast Greenland (74°N, 20°E). Fixed doses of immobilizing drugs were used regardless of animal size: 2 mg etorphine, 30 mg xylazine, 0.3 mg medetomidine, and 40 mg ketamine. Physiologic and behavioral monitoring was performed during the second expedition on 15 female muskoxen. The observed heart rates were 35-58 beats/min and respiratory rates were 25-30 breaths/min. Mean arterial pressures measured using oscillometry ranged between 117-142 mmHg. Pulse oximeter readings ranged from 91-98% with oxygen supplementation, nasal end-tidal carbon dioxide values were 24-42 mmHg, and rectal temperature ranged from 38.9-39.6°C. Induction time was 6-8 min, recovery time 2-6 min after reversal, and duration of anesthesia was 50-100 min. This anesthetic regime thus provided reliable immobilization with minimal pathophysiologic alterations.
- Published
- 2018
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