CHEMICAL RESTRAINT OF AFRICAN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO) WITH MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE

Effects of a combination of medetomidine-ketamine as a chemical restra int and antagonistic effects of atipamezole on this combination were i nvestigated in 5 lions. The medetomidine (47.6-58.4 mu g/kg) and ketam ine (1.9-5.7 mg/kg) combination provided complete immobilization with good analgesia and muscle relaxation in 4 lions, while one lioness was poorly sedated by medetomidine, and additional injections of medetomi dine and ketamine were required. The duration of anesthesia seemed to be much longer than one hour in 4 of the lions. Atipamezole, at four t imes the preceding dose of medetomidine, provided a smooth recovery an d animals were able to stand up 17-61 min after its injection. Side ef fects were limited to vomiting after walking in 3 of 5 lions.