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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Main Authors: Tyler, N. J. C., Hotvedt, R., Blix, A. S., Sørensen, D. R.
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: BioMed Central 1990
Subjects:
Article
Svalbard
Rangifer tarandus
svalbard reindeer
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8133111/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1983084
https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547531
Description
Summary: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.

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