Hematologic effects of xylazine when used for restraint of Bactrian camels

Xylazine was found to be a safe and reliable drug for chemical restraint of Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). Dosages of 0.27 to 0.51 mg/kg of body weight provided adequate sedation for the performance of various procedures (e.g., tuberculin testing, lymph node biopsy, and electroejaculation). Hematologic and serum biochemical values for camels restrained manually were compared with those for camels restrained with xylazine. Xylazine-treated camels had significantly lower values for RBC, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume, and significantly higher blood glucose concentrations. Venous blood gas analyses did not reveal any major acid-base disturbances resulting from the use of xylazine. Rapid arousal from the sedative effects of xylazine occurred after the intravenous administration of doxapram hydrochloride in dosages of 0.05 to 0.13 mg/kg of body weight.