Oral Administration of Tiletamine/zolazepam for the Immobilization of the Common Buzzard (buteo Buteo)

--The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of oral administration of tiletamine/ zolazepam in a bait fbr immobilizing Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) (N = 20). Two different dosages and two different methods of administration were compared. A dosage of 80 mg/kg was sufficient in most birds to enable safe handling after 30-60 min, whereas the majority of animals receiving 40 rag/ kg still showed defensive reflexes. Birds receiving the drug in a powder form reached the deepest stage of anaesthesia after 30 rain, whereas birds receiving a solution reached this stage significantly later, but not before 60 min. When the prepared bait with 80 mg/kg powder was stored for 7 or 14 hr, respectively, effectiveness of immobilization was significantly decreased compared to bait which was administered immediately after preparation.