Resumen

PFITZER, S et al. Evaluation of immobilisation using a fixed-dose combination of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine, along with a low dose of ketamine, in chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). J. S. Afr. Vet. Assoc. [online]. 2025, vol.96, n.1, pp.23-28. ISSN 2224-9435.  https://doi.org/10.36303/jsava.674.

BACKGROUND: Current literature most commonly describes the use of the dissociative drug ketamine for the immobilisation of baboons, either on its own or in combination with other drugs such as α-2 agonists or benzodiazepines. Currently, no reversal is available for ketamine, leading to prolonged and often rough recoveries of the animals, especially if high doses of ketamine are used OBJECTIVES: In this study, the fixed-dose combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (BAM) with a low dose of ketamine (K-BAM) was evaluated for immobilisation and recovery parameters of chacma baboons METHODS: Fifteen baboons were immobilised and monitored. Actual doses administered: BAM 0.01 ± 0.005 ml/kg (butorphanol 0.31 ± 0.15 mg/kg, azaperone 0.12 ± 0.06 mg/kg, medetomidine 0.12 ± 0.06 mg/kg) and ketamine 2.04 ± 0.22 mg/kg. During immobilisation, heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂), non-invasive blood pressure (BP) and blood gases were evaluated RESULTS: Inductions were reached in 3.46 ± 1.36 minutes. Overall, severe hypoxaemia (SpO₂: 62 ± 13%; PaO₂: 37 ± 10 mmHg) was observed in all baboons as well as elevated EtCO₂ (63 ± 9 mmHg) and PaCO₂ (63 ± 9 mmHg) values. Other measured parameters stayed within normal ranges. Recoveries were fully reached at 4.8 ± 2.8 minutes after intramuscular injection of the reversal naltrexone and atipamezole CONCLUSION: BAM with a low dose of ketamine produced short-term immobilisation, allowing for minor veterinary procedures. The severe hypoxaemia observed in all animals, however, raises serious concerns regarding the safety of this protocol

Palabras clave : butorphanol; medetomidine; azaperone; ketamine; primates; chemical immobilisation; baboons.

        · texto en Inglés     · Inglés ( pdf )