Comparison between three dosages of intramuscular alfaxalone and a ketamine-dexmedetomidine-midazolam-tramadol combination in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

Objectives To characterize the cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of alfaxalone at three dose rates in comparison with a ketamine-dexmedetomidine-midazolam-tramadol combination (KDMT) for immobilization of golden-headed lion tamarins (GHLTs) (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) undergoing vasectomy. Study design Prospective clinical trial. Animals A total of 19 healthy, male, wild-caught GHLTs. Methods Tamarins were administered alfaxalone intra-muscularly (IM) at 6, 12 or 15 mg kg(-1), or KDMT, ketamine (15 mg kg(-1)), dexmedetomidine (0.015 mg kg(-1)), midazolam (0.5 mg kg(-1)) and tramadol (4 mg kg(-1)) IM. Immediately after immobilization, lidocaine (8 mg kg(-1)) was infiltrated subcutaneously (SC) at the incision site in all animals. Physiologic variables, anesthetic depth and quality of immobilization were assessed. At the end of the procedure, atipamezole (0.15 mg kg(-1)) was administered IM to group KDMT and tramadol (4 mg kg(-1)) SC to the other groups; all animals were injected with ketoprofen (2 mg kg(-1)) SC. Results A dose-dependent increase in sedation, muscle relaxation and immobilization time was noted in the alfaxalone groups. Despite the administration of atipamezole, the recovery time was longer for KDMT than all other groups. Muscle tremors were noted in some animals during induction and recovery with alfaxalone. No significant differences were observed for cardiovascular variables among the alfaxalone groups, whereas an initial decrease in heart rate and systolic arterial blood pressure was recorded in KDMT, which increased after atipamezole administration. Conclusions and clinical relevance Alfaxalone dose rates of 12 or 15 mg kg(-1) IM with local anesthesia provided good sedation and subjectively adequate pain control for vasectomies in GHLTs. KDMT induced a deeper plane of anesthesia and should be considered for more invasive or painful procedures. All study groups experienced mild to moderate hypothermia and hypoxemia; therefore, the use of more efficient heating devices and oxygen supplementation is strongly recommended when using these protocols.

Automated summary

This study compared the cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of alfaxalone at different dose rates and the KDMT combination for vasectomies in golden-headed lion tamarins. Higher doses of alfaxalone provided good sedation and pain control, while KDMT induced a deeper level of anesthesia. All groups experienced mild to moderate hypothermia and hypoxemia, highlighting the importance of efficient heating devices and oxygen supplementation.