Medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia in pygmy hippopotami (Choeropsis liberiensis) – a case series
Abstract
History Medical knowledge of pygmy hippopotami is limited. Anaesthesia has been considered a challenge because of the anatomy, semi-aquatic life style and aggressive behaviour. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been described and can contribute to active kidney disease potentially affecting anaesthesia. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND MANAGEMENT: Fourteen pygmy hippopotami were anaesthetized for general health assessment and reproductive procedures. Animals (estimated bodyweight 250 kg) were darted intramuscularly with 0.08 mg kg(-1) medetomidine and 1.2 mg kg(-1) ketamine. After endotracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered either by circle system (100% oxygen) or by Triservice apparatus (air or air/oxygen admixture). Heart rate (HR) respiratory rate (f(R) ), oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and end tidal CO(2) were recorded at 5-minute intervals. Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly (0.4 mg kg(-1)) at the end of the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using anova (p Follow-up There were no apparent adverse effects after anaesthesia during a 24-hour follow-up period. Discussion and conclusions Medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane induced satisfactory anaesthesia in this species. Incremental induction doses were related to remote injection and the animals' thick skin. There were no differences in anaesthetic parameters in animals with or without PKD. Supplemental oxygen should be mandatory during anaesthesia in this species.
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Recently, 1.2 mg/kg ketamine and 0.08 mg/kg medetomidine followed by endotracheal intubation and maintenance on oxygen and isoflurane gas has proven very safe and effective for anesthesia of C. liberiensis, with no reported mortality.
“Recently, 1.2 mg/kg ketamine and 0.08 mg/kg medetomidine followed by endotracheal intubation and maintenance on oxygen and isoflurane gas has proven very safe and effective for anesthesia, with no reported mortality (Bouts et al. 2012).”
From Choeropsis liberiensis (Artiodactyla: Hippopotamidae) (2019) · cites this paper as Bouts et al. 2012
Allometric scaling was used to estimate the heart rate of conscious C. liberiensis at 60-65 beats/min; heart rate data for conscious animals has otherwise not been reported.
“Allometric scaling was used to estimate the heart rate (beats/min) of conscious animals at 60-65 (Bouts et al. 2012); heart rate data for conscious animals has otherwise not been reported.”
From Choeropsis liberiensis (Artiodactyla: Hippopotamidae) (2019) · cites this paper as Bouts et al. 2012
Median blood gas parameters for three adult C. liberiensis were: pH 7.43; partial pressure of carbon dioxide 56 mmHg; partial pressure of oxygen 40 mmHg; bicarbonate 35.9 mmol/l.
“Median blood gas parameters for three adult C. liberiensis were: pH, 7.43; partial pressure of carbon dioxide (mmHg), 56; partial pressure of oxygen (mmHg), 40; bicarbonate (mmol/l), 35.9 (Bouts et al. 2012).”
From Choeropsis liberiensis (Artiodactyla: Hippopotamidae) (2019) · cites this paper as Bouts et al. 2012
Data from 14 immobilized adult C. liberiensis were: mean heart rate 34 ± 7 beats/min; mean respiratory rate 14 ± 6 breaths/min; mean peripheral hemoglobin saturation 91-92% for animals receiving supplemental oxygen; mean end tidal carbon dioxide 55 ± 10 mmHg.
“Data from 14 immobilized adults were as follows: mean heart rate (beats/min ± SD) 34 ± 7; mean respiratory rate (breaths/min ± SD), 14 ± 6; mean peripheral hemoglobin saturation, 91-92% for animals receiving supplemental oxygen; mean end tidal carbon dioxide (mmHg ± SD), 55 ± 10 ( Bouts et al. 2012).”
From Choeropsis liberiensis (Artiodactyla: Hippopotamidae) (2019) · cites this paper as Bouts et al. 2012
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Flacke, G. L., Tkalčić, S., Steck, B., Warren, K., & Martin, G. B. (2016) · Zoo Biology · doi:10.1002/zoo.21336 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Flacke, G. L., Chambers, B. K., Martin, G. B., & Paris, M. C. J. (2015) · Der Zoologische Garten · doi:10.1016/j.zoolgart.2015.07.006 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Choeropsis liberiensis (Artiodactyla: Hippopotamidae)
Flacke, G. L., & Decher, J. (2019) · Mammalian Species · doi:10.1093/mspecies/sez017 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bouts, T., Hermes, R., Gasthuys, F., Saragusty, J., Taylor, P., Routh, A., & Hildebrandt, T. B.
- Affiliations
- Zoological Society of London (GB)
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (DE)
- Ghent University (BE)
- Corresponding author
- Bouts, Tim
- Venue
- Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-01
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 111-118
- ISSN
- 1467-2987 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2120749355
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 0.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Anesthesia and Sedative Agents
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Keywords
- Choeropsis liberiensis, medetomidine, ketamine, isoflurane, anesthesia, polycystic kidney disease, atipamezole, endotracheal intubation, oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide, anesthesia recovery
- MeSH terms
- Anesthesia, Animals, Animals, Zoo, Artiodactyla, Hypnotics and Sedatives, Isoflurane, Ketamine, Polycystic Kidney Diseases, Preanesthetic Medication, Anesthetics, Inhalation, Anesthetics, Combined, Medetomidine
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