Comparison of behavioral and cardiopulmonary parameters during immobilization using dexmedetomidine, tiletamine and zolazepam with or without buprenorphine in Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris)

Abstract This study compared the effects of the combinations of dexmedetomidine and tiletamine-zolazepam with or without buprenorphine when used for immobilization of Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris). Seven adult Siberian tigers with 8.4 ± 3.6 (mean ± SD) years of age and 140.0 ± 55.6 (mean ± SD) kg of estimated weight were recruited. Tigers were administered intramuscular injections of dexmedetomidine (12.0 μg kg–1) and tiletamine-zolazepam (1.25 mg kg–1) with (DBTZ treatment) or without (DTZ treatment) buprenorphine (0.05 mg kg–1). Pulse rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and mean noninvasive arterial pressure, and behavioral scores, such as sedation, analgesia, muscle relaxation, posture, and auditory response scores were recorded. The results showed that, although the sedation and analgesia scores were higher in the DBTZ treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the behavioral scores between the 2 treatments. The DTZ and DBTZ combinations resulted in effective immobilization with similar induction time and quality of recovery. No significant differences in cardiopulmonary effects were observed between the 2 treatments, and the cardiopulmonary parameters remained within biologically acceptable limits. In summary, both DTZ and DBTZ combinations can be used safely and effectively to immobilize Siberian tigers with a smooth recovery from immobilization. This immobilization protocol is appropriate for physical examinations, sample collections and simple surgical procedures on Siberian tigers.