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REPEATED USE OF A THIAFENTANIL-BASED ANESTHESIA PROTOCOL IN AN OKAPI (OKAPIA JOHNSTONI)
Alexander McFarland1, Khursheed R Mama2, Matthew E Kinney3
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Insights
Anesthesia for okapis (Okapia johnstoni) was achieved using butorphanol, medetomidine, ketamine, and thiafentanil. A two-dart protocol improved induction quality compared to a single dart.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Anesthesia
- Wildlife Medicine
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Successful anesthesia is crucial for veterinary care and research in exotic species like the okapi (Okapia johnstoni).
- Evaluating anesthetic protocols ensures optimal patient outcomes and safety during procedures.
Observation:
- Seven anesthesia events were conducted on a 1.5-year-old female okapi over six weeks for a fetlock injury.
- Anesthetic combinations included butorphanol (B), medetomidine (M), ketamine (K), and thiafentanil (T).
- Two administration methods were compared: a single dart with all drugs versus a two-dart approach with butorphanol-medetomidine followed by ketamine-thiafentanil.
Findings:
- Induction quality was poor to fair with the single-dart method but improved to good or excellent with the two-dart protocol.
- Time to first effects averaged 6 minutes, and recumbency was achieved in a median of 14 minutes.
- Consistent anesthesia was achieved with the butorphanol-medetomidine-ketamine-thiafentanil combination, with no observed resedation or renarcotization post-reversal.
Implications:
- A staged, two-dart anesthetic protocol offers a smoother induction for okapis.
- This study provides valuable data for anesthetic management in okapis and potentially other large exotic ungulates.
- Optimized anesthetic techniques contribute to improved welfare and successful medical interventions in wildlife conservation efforts.
Abstract:
Seven anesthesia events were performed over 6 wk on a 1.5-yr-old female okapi (Okapia johnstoni) being managed for a fetlock injury. A combination of butorphanol (B) (median; range) (0.045; 0.031-0.046 mg/kg), medetomidine (M) (0.037; 0.031-0.037 mg/kg), ketamine (K) (0.553; 0.536-1.071 mg/kg), and thiafentanil (T) (0.0045; 0.0040-0.0046 mg/kg) was administered in a padded stall. One dart containing all drugs was used for the first two anesthesias. Subsequently, BM was administered 10 min prior to KT using two darts. Time (median; range) from initial injection to first effects (6; 3-7 min) and recumbency (14; 4-20 min) were recorded. Induction quality with the one-dart protocol was poor or fair and was good or excellent with the two-dart protocol. Following recumbency, the okapi was intubated and ventilated, and physiological parameters were recorded. Anesthesia was consistently achieved with BMKT, but induction was smoother with the staged two-dart approach. Neither resedation nor renarcotization was observed post-reversal.