Epidural anesthesia in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anesthesiology
• Primate Medicine
• Comparative Medicine

Background:

• Primates in breeding programs often require clinical interventions, frequently for trauma.
• Effective pain management is crucial for the welfare and treatment of non-human primates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of epidural anesthesia in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus).
• To establish a reliable local anesthetic technique for procedures involving the pelvic region and hindlimbs.

Main Methods:

• Epidural administration of 1% lidocaine (0.3 ml/kg) in the lumbosacral space of ten capuchin monkeys.
• Monitoring of physiological parameters including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and temperature.
• Assessment of nociception and cutaneous sensitivity before and after anesthetic administration.

Main Results:

• Successful induction of sensory loss and muscle relaxation in the pelvic limbs, tail, and perineal region.
• Anesthetic effects lasted for approximately 35 minutes.
• No significant adverse changes in measured physiological parameters were observed.

Conclusions:

• Epidural anesthesia with lidocaine is a safe, easy-to-perform, and effective technique for capuchin monkeys.
• This method offers a viable option for pain management and surgical procedures in this species.