ANESTHESIA OF THE GREY DUIKER (SYLVICAPRA-GRIMMIA) USING A COMBINATION OF KETAMINE AND XYLAZINE, WITH REVERSAL BY ATIPAMEZOLE

Twenty grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were blow-darted with a combin ation of ketamine and xylazine, resulting in a level of sedation adequ ate for capture and minor procedures in 13 of them (mean dosages: keta mine, 13.4 mg/kg; xylazine, 16.8 mg/kg). Sedation was judged to be ina dequate in seven duikers (mean dosages: ketamine, 9.14 mg/kg; xylazine , 11.4 mg/kg). Sedation was reversed with atipamezole (mean dosage: 1. 1 mg/kg) given as a split dose i.v. and i.m. in 19 duikers, resulting in variable reversal of sedation. Complications included inadequate se dation, trauma, hyperthermia, bradycardia, slow recovery, and one deat h.