Evaluation of Medetomidine-Ketamine and Atipamezole for Reversible Anesthesia of Free-ranging Gray Wolves (Canis lupus)

Twenty-eight anesthetic events were carried out on 24 free-ranging Scandina- vian gray wolves (Canis lupus) by darting from a helicopter with 5 mg medetomidine and 250 mg ketamine during winter in 2002 and 2003. Mean6SD doses were 0.16260.008 mg mede- tomidine/kg and 8.160.4 mg ketamine/kg in juveniles (7-10 mo old) and 0.11060.014 mg medetomidine/kg and 5.760.5 mg ketamine/kg in adults (.19 mo old). Mean6SD induc- tion time was shorter (P,0.01) in juveniles (2.360.8 min) than in adults (4.160.6 min). In 26 cases, the animals were completely immobi- lized after one dart. Muscle relaxation was good, palpebral reflexes were present, and there were no reactions to handling or minor painful stimuli. Mild to severe hyperthermia was detected in 14/ 28 anesthetic events. Atipamezole (5 mg per mg medetomidine) was injected intramuscularly for reversal 98628 and 94640 min after darting in juveniles and adults, respectively. Mean6SD time from administration of atipamezole to coordinated walking was 38620 min in juveniles and 41621 min in adults. Recovery was un- eventful in 25 anesthetic events, although vomiting was observed in five animals. One adult that did not respond to atipamezole was given intravenous fluids and was fully recovered 8 hr after darting. Two animals died 7-9 hr after capture, despite intensive care. Both mortalities were attributed to shock and circulatory collapse following stress-induced hyperthermia. Al- though effective, this combination cannot be recommended for darting free-ranging wolves from helicopter at the doses presented here because of the severe hyperthermia seen in several wolves, two deaths, and prolonged recovery in one individual.