Chemical Immobilization

Objectives

• types of drugs

• important considerations: dosing, conditions, monitoring anesthesia

• Practice: IV, IM, Blood draw

Human and animal safety are the number one priority

General information

• no certification

• many drugs are Schedule II or III. They’re controlled by the DEA, disbursed by a veterinarian, and closely regulated

• In some circumstances, a vet must be on hand to administer drugs

• meat withdrawl

Drug Terminology

• Anesthesia- lack of consciousness, unresponsive, affects CNS

• Tranquilizer- calming effect. does not make unresponsive. often used in conjunction with dissociatives

• Sedative- depresses CNS, causes uncoordination and/or a sleep-like state. stronger than tranquilizers, overdose can cause cardiac or respiratory depression

• Antagonist- antidote

Dissociative Anesthetics

• Ketamine and tiletamine (telazol)

• Produces a tense anesthesia- muscle tension

• seizures possible

• strong heart rate and breathing

• salivation

• hypersensitivity

• no antagonist

Sedatives

• xylazine and medetomidine

• depresses CNS- many reflexes absent, depresses heart rate and respiration

• usually used with ketamine

• bloat, vomiting, hypotension possible

• animals can be roused, but will return to sleep-like state

• “drunk”

• can be antagonized

Tranquilizers

• Azaperone and Zolazepam

• does not affect CNS

• creates calming effect, but animal is not unresponsive

• responds to pain, noise, fear.

• unused in combination with opioids and dissociatives to combat side effects

• possible antagonists

Opioids

• M99 and carfentanil

• narcotics

• many simulate an anesthetic

• can be lethal

• may be responive to external stimuli

• can be antagonized

Administration

• sold as powder or concentrate

• mix appropriate dose

• select appropriate delivery method

• Consider order of procedures

• perform painful procedures at the peak of anesthesia

• be prepared to euthanize

Considerations:

• Mass x Velocity²

• Too much velocity- bounce out

• Use laser range finder to determine how far away animal is

• PRACTICE

Factors influence response

• weight, sex, age, seasons, idiosyncrasies, temperament, drug tolerance, food, pathological conditions

Calculating doses

• need to know: recommended dose, concentration, and weight of animal

• dose x weight of animal x concentration = mg of drug delivered

• dose x concentration= volume of drug drawn in mL

• dose x weight of animal = mg of drug needed

Animal Handling

• Basic care

• ground cloth- untreated canvas

• body position- Sternal or lateral (for cold animals)

• Eye hood, ointment, noise control

• ALL animals benefit from head cover

• apply Opthalmic ointment in warm temps, and never with steroids

• QUIET

• Bears- cover eyes before leaving

• Monitor: TPR, temperature, pulse, respiration, capillary refill, gum color, use pulse oximeter

Processing procedures

• weight

• mark- ear tag, tattoo, radio collar, implants, or PIT tag

• blood collection

• teeth

Emergencies

• hypo or hyperthermia

• shock

• bloat

• inhaling stomach contents

• seizures

• capture myopathy

• injuries