Medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam combinations for immobilization of fallow deer (Cervus dama)

Eleven adult fallow deer (Cervus dama) were anesthetized using a mixture of xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam, and 10 were anesthetized with a mixture of medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam. Anesthesia was adequate for capture in a ll instances, and minor surgical procedures were possible in seven of the a nimals treated with xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam and in all of the animals neared with medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam. Blood gas, hematologic, ser um biochemical, and cardiorespiratory parameters were measured during all i mmobilizations. The deer immobilized with xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam had significantly higher lactate and cortisol values than the deer immobilized with the medetomidine combination. Although both methods were adequate for fallow deer, the medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam combination produced su perior results.