Dexmedetomidine Effectively Sedates Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)
2022
Nithidol Buranapim | Pawinee Kulnanan | Kullapassorn Chingpathomkul | Taweepoke Angkawanish | Saran Chansitthiwet | Warangkhana Langkaphin | Petthisak Sombutputorn | Natcha Monchaivanakit | Kankawee Kasemjai | Kittikul Namwongprom | Khajohnpat Boonprasert | Pakkanut Bansiddhi | Niyada Thitaram | Patrick Sharp | Cholawat Pacharinsak | Chatchote Thitaram
This study investigated the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine in Asian elephants. We hypothesized that 2 µ:g/kg dexmedetomidine would provide sufficient standing sedation. A crossover design study was performed in three Asian elephants. Each elephant was assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups&mdash:1 (D1), 1.5 (D1.5) or 2 (D2) µ:g/kg dexmedetomidine (intramuscular injection, IM) with a two-week &lsquo:washout period&rsquo: between doses. Elephants were monitored for 120 min. At 120 min (Ta), atipamezole was administered IM. Sedation and responsiveness scores were evaluated. Physiological parameters (pulse rate, respiratory rate, and %SpO2) and clinical observations were monitored during the study and for 3 days post drug administration. D2 provided the longest sedation (approximately 70 min), compared to D1 and D1.5. After Ta, each elephant&rsquo:s sedative stage lessened within 10&ndash:15 min without complications. No significant abnormal clinical observations were noted throughout and during the 3-days post study period. These data suggest that a single 2 µ:g/kg IM dexmedetomidine injection provides sufficient standing sedation for approximately 70 min in Asian elephants.
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