To catch a buffalo: field immobilisation of Asian swamp buffalo using etorphine and xylazine
Date
2008
Authors
McMahon, C.
Bradshaw, C.
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Journal article
Citation
Australian Veterinary Journal, 2008; 86(6):235-241
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the efficacy of a mixture of etorphine and xylazine to safely immobilise wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the field. METHODS Body mass was estimated (to calculate mass-specific dosages) by deriving a predictive relationship between morphometric measurements (body length, height) and mass based on a dataset collected in Vietnam, because the study animals could not be weighed in the field. RESULTS Mass-specific dosages varied between 0.02 and 0.03 mg/kg for etorphine and between 0.14 and 0.22 mg/kg for xyalazine; induction times varied between 10 and 33 min, mean recumbency time was 68 min, and the mean time to standing was 10 min (range: 10–17 min). CONCLUSIONS The mixture of ethorphine and xylazine was effective for immobilisation of this species and appeared to have a relatively large safety margin, based on the mass-specific dosages used. The allometric relationships described here should prove useful for those working with wild swamp buffalo.
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Journal compilation © 2008 Australian Veterinary Association