Chemical Immobilization of the Formosan Ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) with Tiletamine and Zolazepam

• Main Authors: Shun-Ting Hsiao, 蕭舜庭
• Other Authors: Hsien-Chi Wang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/6h7s2s

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 獸醫學系暨研究所 === 106 === Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca) is an endemic subspecies to Taiwan, and this nocturnal carnivorous is wide distribution in low to middle altitude area. Since rabies had been detected in Formosan ferret-badger in 2013, related researches have been taken seriously. In order to capture and immobilize wild samples efficiently and safely, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) applied on Formosan ferret-badger. TZ has been used widely to restrain wildlife, especially carnivorous. It composes of equal parts by weights of tiletamine hydrochloride and zolazepam hydrochloride. The combination of the two drugs provides anesthesia, mild to moderate analgesia, and muscle relaxation, but also takes long recovery period. In our study, 16 adult wild Formosan ferret-badgers (7 males and 9 females) captured by clover traps from Nantou, Hualien, and Taitung were immobilized. Every individual accepted six dosages (10.0 mg/kg, 12.5 mg/kg, 15.0 mg/kg, 17.5 mg/kg, 20.0 mg/kg, 22.5 mg/kg) of TZ by intramuscular injection, and the trial interval between different dosages were at least fourteen days. In the trials, times of induction, initial recovery, righting, and full recovery were recorded. During the immobilization periods, vital signs, reflexes, and muscle tensions were measured every five minutes. The results were showed that the failure point was 15.0 mg/kg. The adequate anesthesia for 16 Formosan ferret-badgers was at least 17.5 mg/kg, and the average immobilization period of this dosage was 21.5±9.0 minutes. The anesthesia effects and recovery periods were positive correlations with the dosages. In conclusion, muscle injection of TZ between 17.5 mg/kg to 22.5 mg/kg provides effective immobilization in Formosan ferret-badger for measurements and sample collections, but the depth of anesthesia is not enough for surgery.