SEDATION OF WILD BOAR (SUS-SCROFA) AND RED DEER (CERVUS-ELAPHUS) WITHMEDETOMIDINE AND THE INFLUENCE ON SOME HEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VARIABLES

Medetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, was tested for the sedation of wild boar (Sus scrofa) (n = 6) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) (n = 7). The e ffectivity of this drug and the dose required for handling, blood samp ling, and minor surgery were established for both species. In addition the effect of medetomidine sedation on haematological and serum bioch emical variables was studied. All animals used were clinically normal females aged approximately 1.5 years. The minimal dose required to sed ate a wild boar was 80 mug/kg (i.m.). The induction time was 35-50 min , and the sedation time was between 40 and 55 min; however, the sedati on was insufficient. The minimal dose required for red deer was 80 mug /kg (i.m.). Blood sampling and minor surgery could be carried out with out any problem. The induction time was 21-29 min and the sedation tim e was between 120 and 210 min. The alpha-2 antagonist atipamezole (300 mug/kg) was effective in reversing sedation, with recovery occurring between 3 and 9 min. Medetomidine sedation influenced the blood compos ition of wild boar. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume decreased by ab out 20 % (P < 0.002), total serum protein content decreased slightly ( P = 0.011), and the glucose concentration nearly doubled (P = 0.002).