Comparison of alfaxalone-medetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam in rescued common palm civets (Paradoxurus musangus)

Abstract

Forty rescued common palm civets were anesthetized. Twenty animals received intramuscular injections of alfaxalone 5 mg/kg and medetomidine 0.05 mg/kg (A–M group), whereas twenty animals received 5 mg/kg of tiletamine and zolazepam (T–Z group). The A–M group was reversed with atipamazole 0.25 mg/kg. There were no significant differences in the time from anesthetic injection to induction and intubation between the A–M and T–Z groups. The time from the injection of reversal in the A-M group and the time from cessation of isoflurane in the T–Z group to extubation, first response to recovery and ambulation were longer (P<0.05) in the T–Z group. The T–Z group recorded lower (P<0.05) rectal temperatures compared to the A–M group. This study showed that both drug combinations can be used effectively for the immobilization of civets. The A–M combination provided better anesthetic depth, but with higher incidence of bradycardia and hypoxemia. The recovery time was reduced significantly as atipamezole was used as a reversal agent in the A–M combination.