ANESTHESIA OF PRZEWALSKIS HORSES (EQUUS-PRZEWALSKII PRZEWALSKII) WITHMEDETOMIDINE KETAMINE AND ANTAGONISM WITH ATIPAMEZOLE/

Eleven of 14 mature Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii przewalskii ) were successfully anesthetized for routine hoof trimming, vaccinatio n, and blood sampling with a combination of medetomidine (0.07-0.1 mg/ kg, (x) over bar = 0.09 mg/kg) and ketamine (1.8-2.6 mg/kg, (x) over b ar = 2.1 mg/kg) administered i.m. with a rifle and metal projectile da rt. Mean induction time (time from dart administration to recumbency) was 11 min (SD = 6 min). Atipamezoie (0.17-0.23 mg/kg, (x) over bar = 0.19 mg/kg) was administered approximately 30 min after darting to rev erse the effects of medetomidine. The mean standing time (time to stan ding after administration of atipamezole) was 13 min (SD = 5 min), and total recumbency time was 28-62 min ((x) over bar = 46 min). Heart ra te, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, hemoglobin saturati on, pH, Paco(2), and Pao(2) were measured and recorded during recumben cy. Some bradycardia and transient decrease in Pao(2) occurred, howeve r no complications were recognized. The three horses that were not suc cessfully immobilized were obviously sedated but were not manageable f or the intended procedure. A higher atipamezole dose than used in this study is recommended to decrease the recovery time.