Dexmedetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam followed by inhalant anesthesia in spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus)
Garofalo, Natache AroucaJusto, André AugustoAraújo, Stephanie Cristine MiyamotoLima, Mayara Travalini deTeixeira, Carlos RobertoTeixeira Neto, Francisco José
Background: The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only bear species inhabiting South America and is classified as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Among the few publications on the use of general anesthesia and advanced monitoring of ursids in veterinary hospital settings, little is described regarding chemical restraint, general anesthesia and monitoring of spectacled bears. This case series describes the use of a dexmedetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam chemical restraint combination and its effects on cardiorespiratory variables and arterial blood gases observed in two spectacled bears undergoing isoflurane anesthesia for imaging and/or surgical procedures. Cases: Two female, one adult and one senile, all-term captive spectacled bears were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Universidade Estadual Paulista - Unesp, Botucatu campus, both with a presumable history of recent trauma. After immobilization with an intramuscular (IM) administration of tiletamine-zolazepam (3.8 - 4.3 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (6.4 - 7.6 µg/kg), induction of anesthesia was achieved by means of intravenous (IV) propofol (1 - 2 mg/kg). After orotracheal intubation animals underwent isoflurane anesthesia under mechanical ventilation through the remainder of the procedures. Initial settings of inspiratory flow rate were adjusted to obtain peak airway pressure (Ppeak ) of 10 cmH2 O and tidal volumes (Vt) of 10 mL/kg, as well as respiratory rates (R) and inspiration-to-expiration (I:E) ratio of 10 breaths/min and 1:2, respectively, and were then adjusted throughout anesthesia to maintain normocapnia (end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations between 35 and 45 mmHg). One of the individuals was chemically restrained (6.4 mg/kg of tiletaminezolazepam and 7.7 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine) on a second anesthetic event for imaging...
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