Effects of three immobilizing drug combinations on ventilation, gas exchange and metabolism in free-living African lions ().

Free-living lions (12 per group) were immobilized with tiletamine-zolazepam-medetomidine (TZM), ketamine-medetomidine (KM), or ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine (KBM). During immobilization, respiratory, blood gas and acid-base variables were monitored for 30 minutes. Respiratory rates were within expected ranges and remained constant throughout the immobilizations.

Comparison of the cardiovascular effects of immobilization with three different drug combinations in free-ranging African lions.

Thirty-six free-ranging lions (12 per group) were immobilized with tiletamine-zolazepam (Zoletil 0.6 mg/kg i.m.