Physiological and behavioural effects of hypoxemia in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) immobilised with xylazine-etorphine
Tara E. Risling A D , Åsa Fahlman A B , Nigel A. Caulkett A and Susan Kutz CA Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary HM 383, 3330 Hospital Drive, North-West Calgary T2N 4N1, Canada.
B Section of Anesthesiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
C Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary HM 383, 3330 Hospital Drive, North-West Calgary T2N 4N1, Canada.
D Corresponding author. Email: terislin@ucalgary.ca
Animal Production Science 51(4) 355-358 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN10190
Submitted: 29 September 2010 Accepted: 23 January 2011 Published: 8 April 2011
Abstract
This study examined the physiological effects of xylazine-etorphine (XE) immobilisation in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), as well as post-immobilisation recovery and behaviour. Six reindeer weighing 105 ± 18 kg (mean ± s.d.) were immobilised via remote delivery of XE into the hind limb musculature. The animals were immobilised for 30 min on two separate occasions, and a randomised crossover design was used to assign nasal oxygen (O2) or unsupplemented air to each animal. Arterial blood gases were collected and analysed at zero (time of arterial catheter placement), 5, 10, 20 and 30 min. Heart rate and respiratory rate, temperature, and arterial blood pressure were monitored every 5 min. After 30 min, immobilisation was reversed with naltrexone hydrochloride and tolazoline hydrochloride. The animals underwent behavioural testing (time required to navigate a novel maze) to assess cognitive function pre- and post-immobilisation. Significantly higher arterial O2 tension levels were seen in O2-supplemented animals (range 95–313 mmHg) compared with unsupplemented animals (range 26–70 mmHg). Hypoxemic animals had elevated heart rates and lactate levels compared with normoxemic. Immobilisation had a significant effect on the animals’ ability to navigate a novel maze.
Additional keywords: α-2 agonist, immobilisation, narcotic, recovery.
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