IMMOBILIZATION OF GUANACOS BY USE OF TILETAMINE ZOLAZEPAM

Adult male guanacos were immobilized by use of tiletamine/ zolazepam. The effective dosage (mean +/- SD) was 5.0 +/- 1.1 mg/ kg of body weig ht. Mean time from injection to immobilization was 7.3 minutes. Usuall y, immobilization was of sufficient dura tion (mean, 61 minutes) to al low guanacos to be weighed, measured, and to have ear tags inserted an d blood samples collected. Adverse effects included twitching and rigi dity of muscles, salivation, chewing movements, retching, vocalization , and stumbling during the recovery phase. All guanacos recovered with out apparent complications.