Tools and Technology Note Field Sedation of Coyotes, Red Foxes, and Raccoons With Medetomidine and Atipamezole

We chemically restrained free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) using medetomidine antagonized by atipamezole. All coyotes and 80% of red foxes were sedated with mean 6 standard deviation doses of 0.12 6 0.02 mg/kg and 0.14 6 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, respectively. Seventy-seven percent of raccoons were sedated with 0.21 6 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine. In all species we observed occasional movement, muscle rigidity, and partial-arousal during sedation. Animals were alert within 4.3–8.6 6 3.5–8.4 min following atipamezole at 0.4 mg/kg. Medetomidine and atipamezole provided safe handling in most animals and rapid recovery without use of a controlled substance. At these doses, biologists in the field should be prepared to administer a supplementary dose of medetomidine to some animals depending on ambient conditions and the objectives of the restraint event. ( JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 72(5):1267–1271; 2008) DOI: 10.2193/2007-395