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. 2024 Jan;54(4):796-800.
doi: 10.1638/2022-0066.

ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) WITH MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE

Tim Bouts  1   2 , Polly Taylor  3 , Desheng Li  4 , Frank Gasthuys  2 , Alicia Quiévy  5 , Stijn Schauvliege  2
Affiliations

ANESTHESIA IN CAPTIVE GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) WITH MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE

Tim Bouts et al. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2024 Jan.

Abstract

One male and one female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from a Belgian zoo were anesthetized on eight different occasions over a course of 4 yr for electro-ejaculation (n = 3) or artificial insemination (n = 5). Medetomidine (0.03-0.04 mg/kg) and ketamine (2.5-3 mg/kg) were administered by intramuscular remote injection. Animals gained sternal recumbency with the loss of response to external stimuli after 4.9 ± 1.6 min (mean ± SD). The trachea was intubated with a 14-mm-internal diameter endotracheal tube; anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen adjusted according to the required depth of anesthesia with a small-animal circle system. Physiological variables (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygenation, end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure and non-invasive blood pressure) were measured and remained within an acceptable range throughout anesthesia. Atipamezole (0.17-0.25 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly after anesthesia. Recoveries were rapid and uneventful. Medetomidine 0.03 mg/kg and ketamine 2.5 mg/kg IM appeared to be the preferred doses for giant pandas.

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