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Immobilization of Norwegian Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and Svalbard Reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus) with Medetomidine and Medetomidine-Ketamine and Reversal of Immobilization with Atipamezole

Immobilisering av Norsk Rein (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) og Svalbardrein (R. t. platyrhynchus) med Medetomidine og Medetomidine-Ketamine og Reversering av Immobiliseringen med Atipamezole

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 31, pages 479–488 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

The sedative action of medetomidine (-ketamine) was studied in 12 captive Norwegian semidomesticated reindeer (NR), including 4 newborn calves, and in 7 free-living Svalbard reindeer (SR). Medetomidine, with or without ketamine, caused effective, reliable immobilization in NR. Doses of 50–200 µg/kg medetomidine alone or 30-125 µg/kg medetomidine combined with ⩾ 300 µg/kg ketamine induced complete immobilization, good muscle relaxation and persistent, deep sedation with little respiratory depression in NR; SR required higher doses. Atipamezole successfully antagonized medetomidine (-ketamine) resulting in rapid and persistent reversal of immobilization in all cases (NR and SR). Both medetomidine and atipamezole had wide safety margins and no conspicuous lasting side effects after reversal.

Sammanfattning

Den immobiliserende virkningen av medetomidine (-ketamine) ble undersøkt i 8 voksne norske tamrein (NR) og 4 nyfødte kalver holdt i fangenskap, og i 7 frittlevende Svalbardrein (SR). Medetomidine, med eller uten ketamine, forårsaket en effektiv og sikker immobilisering av NR. Doser på 50–200 μg/kg medetomidine alene eller 30–125 μg/kg medetomidine kombinert med > 300 μg/kg ketamine førte til fullstendig immobilisering, god muskelavslappning og vedvarende dyp bedøvelse uten respiratorisk depresjon i NR. SR krevde høyere doser. Atipamezole motvirket medetomidine (-ketamine), og resulterte i hurtig reversering av immobiliseringen i alle forsøkene (NR and SR). Både medetomidine og atipamezole hadde store sikkerhetsmarginer, og ingen iøynefallende bivirkninger efter reverseringen. Kombinasjonene av egenskapene til medetomidine (-ketamine) og atipamezole: hurtig virkning, god sedasjon og analgesi, god reversering samt høy sikkerhet, var meget tilfredsstillende både for infanging og for små kirurgiske inngrep.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Arctic Biology, Institute of Medical Biology and University Hospital, University of Tromsø, N-9000, Breivika, Tromsø, Norway

    N. J. C. Tyler, R. Hotvedt, A. S. Blix & D. R. Sørensen

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  1. N. J. C. Tyler
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  2. R. Hotvedt
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  3. A. S. Blix
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  4. D. R. Sørensen
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Tyler, N.J.C., Hotvedt, R., Blix, A.S. et al. Immobilization of Norwegian Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and Svalbard Reindeer (R. t. platyrhynchus) with Medetomidine and Medetomidine-Ketamine and Reversal of Immobilization with Atipamezole. Acta Vet Scand 31, 479–488 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547531

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147