XYLAZINE-INDUCED SEDATION IN AXIS DEER (AXIS-AXIS) AND ITS REVERSAL BY ATIPAMEZOLE

Eight free-ranging axis deer (Axis axis) were captured in drive nets a nd injected with xylazine (3.4 +/-0.1 mg/kg; mean +/- SEM) intramuscul arly using a hand-held syringe. Xylazine induced complete immobilizati on and sedation in three animals, heavy sedation in three, and moderat e sedation in two. The mean induction time was 10.4 +/- 1.0 min. The m ean rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates of immobilized ani mals were 39.2 +/- 0.4-degrees-C, 75.5 +/- 6.5 beats/min and 62.1 +/- 4.2 breaths/min, respectively. All the animals were given atipamezole intravenously for reversal. The mean time from injection of xylazine t o administration of atipamezole was 37.8 +/- 4.6 min. A dose ratio (w/ w) for xylazine:atipamezole-HCI of 10:1 was used. The mean time from i njection of atipamezole to mobility was 2.41 +/- 0.58 min. Atipamezole given intravenously effectively antagonized xylazine-induced sedation in axis deer. Only one animal showed signs of overalertness after rev ersal and no cases of resedation were observed.