Evaluation of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) immobilization.

Objective: The butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine fixed-dose combination (BAM, respectively, 30-12-12 mg mL) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone-atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Study Design: Prospective, clinical trial.

Animals: Twelve cheetahs (six males and six females, weighing 37-57 kg) housed in enclosures, were immobilized at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre in the Republic of South Africa.

Methods: BAM volume dose rate was 0.009-0.014 mL kg (mean ± standard deviation 0.010 ± 0.001 mL kg). Total dose in all animals was 0.5 mL. The actual doses were as follows: butorphanol (0.29 ± 0.04 mg kg), azaperone (0.12 ± 0.01 mg kg) and medetomidine (0.12 ± 0.01 mg kg). Physiologic variables and quality of immobilization were recorded every 5 minutes beginning at 15-20 minutes after darting. Arterial blood samples were collected three times at 20, 30 and 40 minutes after darting from all animals for analysis of blood oxygenation and acid-base status.

Results: The inductions were calm and smooth and mean induction time was 4.0 ± 1.1 minutes. Heart rate (50 ± 9 beats minute) and respiratory frequency (20 ± 3 breaths minute) were stable throughout immobilization. The recovery time after reversing with naltrexone and atipamezole was 9.1 ± 3.6 minutes.

Conclusions: and clinical relevance BAM proved to be a reliable and cardiovascular stable drug combination for immobilization of cheetahs.