Anesthesia of zoo-managed african painted dogs (lycaon pictus) using a dexmedetomidine-ketaminebutorphanol-midazolam combination.

Zoo-managed adult African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus; n = 17) were anesthetized with mean dosages of dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg, ketamine 1.93 mg/kg, butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg, and midazolam 0.15 mg/kg IM. Times to induction milestones (mean ± SD or median [range]) were initial effects at 2 min (1-4 min), recumbency at 3.2 ± 1.1 min, and intubation at 11.6 ± 1.3 min. Two dogs required isoflurane supplementation for intubation. Anesthesia was antagonized with mean dosages of atipamezole 0.05 mg/kg IM, naltrexone 0.2 mg/kg IM, and flumazenil 0.01 mg/kg IV. Times from antagonist administration to recovery milestones were extubation at 3.9 ± 1.5 min, control of head at 7.6 ± 2.5 min, sternal positioning at 8.8 ± 2.3 min, and standing at 12.1 ± 3.5 min. Animals were judged ready for reunification with conspecifics at 41.5 min (28-127 min), and reunification occurred at 62.1 ± 35.2 min. Paired arterial blood gas samples were obtained (n = 13). There was a significant decrease in temperature and blood pressure and increase in pO2, BEecf, and HCO3- (P < 0.05). Decreased respiratory rate with hypercapnia was occasionally observed. This protocol provided consistent anesthesia using a low dose α-2 agonist and permitted quick pack reunification.