Ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine for the immobilisation of free-living hyenas (Crocuta crocuta).

Free-ranging spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are immobilised for a variety of purposes, including wildlife-human conflict mitigation, research, and veterinary treatment. Combinations of tiletamine-zolazepam (Zoletil) and medetomidine are commonly used for immobilisation of hyenas, however, recovery times are long. In this descriptive study, a total of 20 adult or subadult free-ranging hyenas were immobilised near Skukuza in the Kruger National Park using ketamine, butorphanol, and medetomidine. The goal of the study was to evaluate a suitable dose and measure cardiorespiratory effects of this combination. The quality of induction and recovery were scored using an established scoring system from 1 (excellent) to (poor). Twelve of the 20 hyenas were given an induction score of 1 (excellent), five an induction score of 2 (good), and three an induction score of 3 (fair). Of the animals with induction score = 1, the mean drug dose was 1.17 mg/kg ketamine, 0.25 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.03 mg/kg medetomidine, and the mean induction time and time to handling 6:25 minutes and 9:46 minutes respectively. The mean recovery time (from reversal to standing) was 10:16 min, which is shorter than what has been reported for tiletaminezolazepam- based combinations in hyenas. Most hyenas were bradycardic (< 40 beats per minute) and the mean PaO2 69.5 mmHg. Three hyenas, one with induction score = 2, and two with induction scores = 3 spontaneously recovered at 33, 44 and 56 minutes post approach respectively. Regardless of induction time, all hyenas reached a level of surgical anaesthesia while immobilised. Overall, ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine (KBM) was effective in immobilising hyenas but induction times varied, and animals were bradycardic during immobilisation.

The effects of feeding and transport length on the welfare of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) during long-distance translocations: a preliminary study.

Translocation is a valuable conservation tool, but poses significant risks for the transported rhinoceroses. Interventions reducing these risks are required to ensure positive welfare during transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of journey duration and feeding during the transport of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum). A total of 32 animals were transported by road during two events, five days apart. Fifteen rhinoceroses in the first transport event (37.0 ± 2.4 hr duration) were not fed, while 17 rhinoceroses in the second event (32.2 ± 1.5 hr duration) were offered lucerne. Blood samples were collected at capture and after transport for the evaluation of changes in serum clinical chemistry analytes. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare differences between the groups. In all rhinoceroses, transport resulted in changes in serum electrolyte, metabolite and enzyme concentrations, indicating a loss in total body water, nutritional shifts, stress and fatigue. Fed rhinoceroses, transported over a shorter time, displayed greater changes in osmolality (p < 0.006), serum sodium and chloride concentrations (p = 0.005 and = 0.001, respectively) indicating a greater degree of total body water loss than non-fed rhinoceroses. Feeding and a shorter transport duration reduced, but did not prevent, nutritional challenges. A greater increase in the muscle enzymes CK and AST (p = 0.027 and = 0.001, respectively), indicated greater fatigue in non-fed rhinoceroses transported over a longer time. Further work to distinguish the effects of feeding and journey duration is required to better understand the role feeding may play in mitigating welfare challenges during rhinoceros translocation.

A study of the pharmacokinetics and thromboxane inhibitory activity of a single intramuscular dose of carprofen as a means to establish its potential use as an analgesic drug in white rhinoceros.

The alleviation of pain and prevention of suffering are key aspects of animal welfare. Unfortunately, analgesic drugs are not available for all species. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), representing one of such species, which survive poaching attempts inflicted with severe facial injuries and gunshot wounds, nonetheless require analgesic support. To improve treatment conditions, this study explored the use of carprofen for the treatment of pain and inflammation in white rhinoceros. The pharmacokinetics of 1 mg/kg intramuscular carprofen was evaluated in six healthy white rhinoceros. The half-life of λz and mean residence time was 105.71 ± 15.67 and 155.01 ± 22.46 hr, respectively. The area under the curve and the maximum carprofen concentration were 904.61 ± 110.78 µg ml-1  hr-1 and 5.77 ± 0.63 µg/ml, respectively. Plasma TXB2 inhibition demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties and indicated that carprofen may be effective for a minimum of 48 hr in most animals. With its long half-life further indicating that a single dose could be effective for several days, we suggest that carprofen may be a useful drug for the treatment of white rhinoceros.