Immobilization of wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) with a tiletamine hydrochloride/zolazepam hydrochloride combination and subsequent evaluation of selected blood chemistry parameters.

Abstract

A tiletamine hydrochloride/zolazepam hydrochloride combination was used successfully to immobilize captive untamed wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) (n = 16) at dosage rates ranging from 2.3 to 32.3 mg/kg. Animals remained immobilized for periods ranging from 35 min to 24 hr 14 min. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.85, P less than 0.01) between dosage rate and the time immobilized. Profuse salivation and intermittent mild myoclonal contractions were observed in some wild dogs. Mildly reduced partial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures as well as reduced concentrations of bicarbonate were observed in arterial blood at 10 and 20 min after administration of the drug. Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, urea, creatinine, glucose, proteins, albumin, gammaglutamyltransferase, creatinine kinase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, insulin, cortisol and thyroxine are presented. These concentrations were found to be in agreement with values previously reported for wild dogs.