Cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol and antagonism with atipamezole in servals (Felis serval)

Seven (three male and four female) 4-7-yr old captive servals (Felis sen nl ) weighing 13.7 +/- 2.3 kg were used to evaluate the cardiopulmonary and an esthetic effects of combined intramuscular injections of medetomidine (47.4 +/- 10.3 mug/kg). ketamine (1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/kg, and butorphanol (0.2 +/- 0. 03 mg/kg). Inductions were smooth and rapid (11.7 +/- 4.3 min) and resulted in good muscle relaxation. Significant decreases in heart rate (85 +/- 12 beats/min) at 10 min after injection and respiratory rate (27 +/- 10 breath s/min) at 5 min after injection continued throughout the immobilization per iod. Rectal temperature and arterial blood pressure did not change signific antly. The PaO2 decreased significantly. and PaCO2 increased significantly during immobilization but remained within clinically acceptable limits. Hyp oxemia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg) was nor noted, and arterial blood oxygen saturatio n (SaO(2)) was greater than 9% at all times. Relative arterial oxygen satur ation (SpO(2)) values, indicated by pulse oximetry. were lower than SaO(2) values. All animals could be safely handled while sedated. Administration o f atipamezole (236.8 +/- 51.2 <mu>g/kg half i.v, and half s.c.), an alpha ( 2) antagonist. resulted in rapid (4.1 +/- 3 min to standing) and smooth rec overies.