Reversible chemical immobilization of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) using tiletamine-zolazepam - xylazine hydrochloride mixture

JANICKI, Z., D. KONJEVIĆ, A. SLAVICA, K. SEVERIN: Reversible chemical immobilization of wild red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) using tiletamine-zolazepam xylazine hydrochloride mixture. Vet. arhiv 76, 237-244, 2006. ABSTRACT Fifteen live-trapped red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) were immobilized during January 2002 in the Baranja region of Croatia. The main purpose of the manipulation was the first individual treatment of red deer against trematode Fascioloides magna. Tiletamine-zolazepam xylazine hydrochloride combination (Zo-Ro) was used in this trial for immobilization. Safe and efficient immobilization of red deer calves was achieved by administration of 2.0 ± 0.29 mg/kg of tiletamine-zolazepam (Mean ± SD) and 2.76 ± 0.85 mg/kg of xylazine hydrochloride (Mean ± SD). Mean doses (SD) for complete immobilization of adults were 1.9 (0.22) mg/kg of tiletamine-zolazepam and 2.24 (0.64) mg/kg of xylazine hydrochloride. Mean (SD) induction period was 5.88 (2.17) min for calves and 5.1 (2.6) min for adults. Recovery was induced by administration of atipamezole. Mean dose (SD) of atipamezole was 0.14 (0.04) mg/kg for calves and 0.10 (0.02) mg/kg for adults. Mean recovery time was 12.25 min for calves and 13.2 min for adults. There were no complication or death cases during the immobilization or after it.