IMMOBILIZATION OF MOUFLON (OVIS ORIENTALIS MUSIMON) USING MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE-MORPHINE OR DEXMEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE-MORPHINE.

This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two protocols for the immobilization of mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon). Six mouflon were immobilized twice using IM medetomidine 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/kg, ketamine 2.88 ± 0.48 mg/kg, and morphine 0.57 ± 0.09 mg/kg (MKM) or dexmedetomidine 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/kg, ketamine 3.01 ± 0.6 mg/kg, and morphine 0.60 ± 0.12 mg/kg (DKM). Anesthetic times were recorded from injection to initial drug effects, sternal recumbency, lateral recumbency, unresponsiveness to external stimuli, and recovery following atipamezole IM administration. Cardiopulmonary variables (HR in beats/min, RR in breaths/min, mean, systolic, and diastolic noninvasive blood pressure [MAP, SAP, DAP] in mm Hg, oxygen hemoglobin saturation [SpO2)], expired end tidal carbon dioxide [PECO2]), and rectal temperature in °C were monitored and recorded. No statistically significant differences were detected between protocols at any time point and no significant differences were detected in any measured variables at any time point between protocols. However, a significant decrease in the noninvasive blood pressure variables (SAP, MAP, and DAP) and in the RR were detected over time. Both chemical immobilization protocols provided at least 50 min of immobilization in mouflon, allowing minor procedures and tracheal intubation.