Clinical evaluation of xylazine and ketamine for immobilization of the captive Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris)

Abstract

It is always been a challenging task to immobilize wild felids and there are limited information regarding the anaesthetic protocol to be used in tigers in both captive and free ranging conditions and many complications are encountered due to the vast variations in estimating the actual body weight. This paper aims at presenting a standard protocol of immobilizing captive Bengal tigers with a combination of injection xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride at a dose rate of 1mg/kg and 3 mg/kg respectively. Time (Mean ± SE) taken for ataxia was shorter 2.28±0.22, lateral recumbency was 3.01±0.44 and abolishment of ear flick reflex was 3.55 ± 0.10 minutes. The duration of anaesthesia (Mean ± SE) was 39.50 ± 0.48 minutes and recovery time was 44.17 ± 0.51 minutes. This protocol of using xylazine and ketamine has resulted in smooth and relatively rapid induction, smooth recovery and a sufficient first reaction time for emergency as well as elective interventions with no incidents of sudden recovery or any life-threatening effects during or after the immobilization procedure. The findings are discussed.