Etorphine-Medetomidine Immobilization in 16 Captive Persian Fallow Deer (Dama dama mesopotamica)

Sixteen captive Persian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopotamica) scheduled for translocation were immobilized with a combination of 30 +/- 5 mu g/kg etorphine and 3 +/- 0.6 mu g/kg medetomidine administered by a remote intramuscular injection. Induction and recovery times and physiologic parameters were recorded, and the quality of induction, immobilization and recovery were scored. Naltrexone and atipamezole were administered for recovery. Mean induction time was 4.9 +/- 3.1 minutes, and induction quality was considered very good. The quality of immobilization was fair, due to the light immobilization plane and constant limb movement. Severe hypoxemia was observed (oxygen saturation at 70%). Following reversal, mean recovery time was 3.8 +/- 2.4 minutes, and recovery quality was excellent. The combination of etorphine-medetomidine at the doses reported here did not result in optimal immobilization and is likely to produce severe hypoxemia, however, recovery is quick. Other anesthetic combinations should be investigated for immobilization of Persian fallow deer.