ANESTHESIA IN A BAIRDS TAPIR (TAPIRUS-BAIRDII)

A Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) was satisfactorily immobilized on tw o occasions with i.m. detomidine (0.065-0.13 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0 .13-0.2 mg/kg). On the second occasion, anesthesia was induced by i.v. administration of ketamine (2.2 mg/kg). Twenty minutes later, endotra cheal intubation was performed after an additional i.v. injection of k etamine (1.5 mg/kg). Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, which provided excellent conditions for radiology and surgery. Anesthesia wa s associated with hypoxemia when the tapir was allowed to breathe air and with hypoventilation. Mean arterial pressure remained satisfactory . No antagonist drugs were administered, and recovery from anesthesia was rapid and smooth.