• Tim Bouts, Polly Taylor, Karla Berry, Andrew Routh, and Frank Gasthuys.
• Zoological Society London, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Veterinary Department, Whipsnade, Bedfordshire, UK. tim.bouts@zsl.org
• Vet Anaesth Analg. 2011 Mar 1; 38 (2): 106-12.

ObjectiveTo investigate physiological and sedative/immobilization effects of medetomidine or dexmedetomidine combined with ketamine in free-ranging Chinese water deer (CWD).Study DesignProspective clinical trial.Animals10 free-ranging adult Chinese water deer (11.0±2.6 kg).MethodsAnimals were darted intramuscularly with 0.08±0.004 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 3.2±0.2 mg kg(-1) ketamine (MK) or 0.04±0.01 mg kg(-1) dexmedetomidine and 2.9±0.1 mg kg(-1) ketamine (DMK). If the animal was still laterally recumbent after 60 minutes of immobilization, atipamezole was administered intravenously (MK: 0.4±0.02 mg kg(-1), DMK: 0.2±0.03 mg kg(-1)). Heart rate (HR) respiratory rate (f(R)) and temperature were recorded at 5-minute intervals. Arterial blood was taken 15 and 45 minutes after initial injection. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test or ANOVA. p<0.05 was considered significant.ResultsAnimals became recumbent rapidly in both groups. Most had involuntary ear twitches, but there was no response to external stimuli. There were no statistical differences in mean HR (MK: 75±14 beats minute(-1); DMK: 85±21 beats minute(-1)), f(R) (MK: 51±35 breaths minute(-1); DMK; 36±9 breaths minute(-1)), temperature (MK: 38.1±0.7 °C; DMK: 38.4±0.5 °C), blood gas values (MK: PaO(2) 63±6 mmHg, PaCO(2) 49.6±2.6 mmHg, HCO(3)(-) 30.8±4.5 mmol L(-1); DMK: PaO(2) 77±35 mmHg, PaCO(2) 45.9±11.5 mmHg, HCO(3)(-) 31.0±4.5 mmol L(-1)) and biochemical values between groups but temperature decreased in both groups. All animals needed antagonism of immobilization after 60 minutes. Recovery was quick and uneventful. There were no adverse effects after recovery.Conclusion And Clinical RelevanceBoth anaesthetic protocols provided satisfactory immobilisation. There was no clear preference for either protocol and both appear suitable for CWD.© 2011 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia © 2011 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.

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