Comparison of cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine and thiafentanil administered as sole agents for immobilization of impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Objective To compare the cardiopulmonary effects of the opioids etorphine and thiafentanil for immobilization of impala. Study design Two-way crossover, randomized study. Animals A group of eight adult female impala. Methods Impala were given two treatments: 0.09 mg kg(-1) etorphine or 0.09 mg kg(-1) thiafentanil via remote dart injection. Time to recumbency, quality of immobilization and recovery were assessed. Respiratory rate, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and arterial blood gases were measured. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the effects of treatments, treatments over time and interactions of treatment and time (p < 0.05). Results Time to recumbency was significantly faster with thiafentanil (2.0 +/- 0.8 minutes) than with etorphine (3.9 +/- 1.6 minutes; p = 0.007). Both treatments produced bradypnoea, which was more severe at 5 minutes with thiafentanil (7 +/- 4 breaths minute(-1)) than with etorphine (13 +/- 12 breaths minute(-1); p = 0.004). HR increased with both treatments but significantly decreased over time when etorphine (132 +/- 17 to 82 +/- 11 beats minute(-1)) was compared with thiafentanil (113 +/- 22 to 107 +/- 36 beats minute(-1); p < 0.001). Both treatments caused hypertension which was more profound with thiafentanil (mean overall MAP = 140 +/- 14 mmHg; p < 0.001). Hypoxaemia occurred with both treatments but was greater with thiafentanil [PaO2 37 +/- 13 mmHg (4.9 kPa)] than with etorphine [45 +/- 16 mmHg (6.0 kPa)] 5 minutes after recumbency (p < 0.001). After 30 minutes, Pa0 2 increased to 59 +/- 10 mmHg (7.9 kPa) with both treatments (p < 0.001). Conclusions and clinical relevance The shorter time to recumbency with thiafentanil may allow easier and faster retrieval in the field. However, thiafentanil caused greater hypertension, and ventilatory effects during the first 10 minutes, after administration.

Automated summary

Thiafentanil resulted in faster recumbency time compared to etorphine, but also caused more severe bradypnea at 5 minutes. Etorphine led to a significant decrease in heart rate over time, while thiafentanil induced more profound hypertension and ventilatory effects.