Antagonistic Effects of Atipamezole to Xylazine-Ketamine Immobilizations in Free-Ranging Sika Deer

Abstract

The antagonism of atipamezole to xylazine was examined in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). Seventeen free-ranging sika deer were immobilized with a combination of xylazine (2.0 ± 0.1 mg/kg ; mean ± SE) and ketamine (6.0 ± 0.3 mg/kg) for 52.1 ± 3.2 min. The animals were administered atipamezole intramuscularly at xylazine:atipamezole dose ratios of 10 : 1 (n=5), 3 : 1 (n=6) and 2 : 1 (n=6). Rapid recoveries were achieved with 7.0 ± 3.2, 5.0 ± 2.6 and 5.2 ± 2.5 min for each dose group, respectively. No dose-dependent effects of atipamezole in the recovery time were observed. Atipamezole was effective in reversing xylazine-ketamine induced immobilization in sika deer.