IMMOBILIZATION OF COLLARED PECCARIES (PECARI TAJACU) UNDER MANAGED CARE USING MEDETOMIDINE-TILETAMINE-ZOLAZEPAM VERSUS MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE-MIDAZOLAM AND REVERSAL WITH ATIPAMEZOLE: A RANDOMIZED, BLINDED CLINICAL TRIAL.

The objectives of this study were to compare two medetomidine-based protocols followed by atipamezole reversal, assessing immobilization and recovery in collared peccary (Pecari tajacu). Nineteen collared peccaries under managed care scheduled for tracking collar placement and routine treatments were randomly assigned to one of two protocols; medetomidine 48 ± 6 µg/kg and 2.23 ± 0.44 mg/kg tiletamine-zolazepam (Med-TZ; n = 9) or medetomidine 46 ± 8 µg/kg with 3.29 ± 0.45 mg/kg ketamine and 0.23 ± 0.04 mg/kg midazolam (Med-KM; n = 10) injected intramuscularly (IM). Both groups received reversal with IM atipamezole at five times the medetomidine dose. Physiological variables, duration and quality (scale 1-5; 1, poor; 5, excellent) of induction, immobilization, and recovery were recorded by a single-blinded observer. Data were analyzed using student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in any variable assessed. Median (range) induction times were 6 (2-33) min (Med-TZ) and 6 (4-12) min (Med-KM). A supplemental dose was required in 3/9 (Med-TZ) and 1/9 (Med-KM) animals. Mean ± standard deviation recovery times were 48 ± 32 min (Med-TZ) and 47 ± 22 min (Med-KM). Median induction, immobilization and recovery qualities were 4 (1-5), 4 (1-5) and 2 (1-5) (Med-TZ), and 5 (3-5), 4 (3-5) and 3 (2-4) (Med-KM), respectively. Median hemoglobin oxygen saturation was 94% (54-98; Med-TZ) and 95% (77-98; Med-KM). At the doses used, Med-TZ and Med-KM provided comparable and reliable immobilization with fair to good recovery quality.