We injected 27 adult Molina’s hognosed skunks (Conepatus chinga) intramuscularly by hand with ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and xylazine hydrochloride (XH) in the Pampas grassland of Argentina. Skunks were immobilized with a mean (±SD) dosage of 24.9±6.5 mg/kg KH and 1.9±0.6 mg/kg XH. The mean effective dosages of KH (27.6 mg/kg) and XH (1.7 mg/kg) were higher and lower, respectively, than those reported in skunks previously. Mean induction and recovery time were 5.3±1.9 min and 47.7±18.5 min, respectively. Hypothermia was the only problem detected in field immobilization and occurred in winter but did not appear to be associated with to drug doses. We conclude that KH/XH is a safe immobilizing drug combination for Molina’s hog-nosed skunk.
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1 January 2012
Field Immobilization of Molina’s Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus chinga) Using Ketamine and Xylazine
Diego F. Castillo,
Estela Luengos Vidal,
Emma B. Casanave,
Mauro Lucherini
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 48 • No. 1
January 2012
Vol. 48 • No. 1
January 2012
Hypothermia
immobilization
Mephitidae
Pampas grassland