Monticelli P, McSloy A, Morath U, Adami C
Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, UK.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Division, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern.
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2017 Dec;159(12):657-662. doi: 10.17236/sat00137.
Four captive reindeer underwent anaesthesia to allow dehorning or drainage of lymph nodes abscessation. Premedication was based on xylazine (dose range: 0.075- 0.5 mg/kg, IM or IV), with or without ketamine (dose range: 1-2 mg/kg, IM or IV), all of which failed to produce effective sedation without side effects. During anaesthesia, 2 reindeer experienced severe hypoxaemia and hypoventilation. Recovery was smooth in 3 out 4 animals, but delayed in one reindeer sedated with 0.5 mg/kg of xylazine IV; this patient required repeated atipamezole administrations (0.01 mg/kg IM given 3 times) to regain normal locomotion. Anaesthesia of reindeer is challenging and useful dose ranges for safe and effective anaesthesia are mostly unknown.
