Inmovilización química de armadillos de tres bandas ( Tolypeutes matacus ) mediante el uso de dos protocolos anestésicos en el Norte Argentino

Abstract

Chemical immobilization of three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes matacus) involves special consid- erations because this species has a number of unique anatomical, physiological and metabolic traits. To date, little has been reported about anesthesia of free-ranging T. matacus. Two anesthetic protocols were evaluated and compared in free-ranging three-banded armadillos in northwestern Argentina. During November 2003 and August 2004 thirty three-banded armadillos were captured in the surroundings of Amamá (Santiago del Estero, Argentina) and immobilized to collect biological samples. The armadillos were divided into two groups, each immobilized with another anesthetic protocol: Zelazol® (tiletamine and zolazepam) or xylazine – ketamine, which was reverted with yohimbin. There were no significant differences between protocols regarding the time when effects began and the time of final recovery. However, initial recovery time, muscular relaxation, and presence of hypothermia exhibited significant variations between protocols.