USE OF THE ALPHA-2 AGONIST DEXMEDETOMIDINE FOR THE

IMMOBILIZATION OF CHEETAHS (Acinonyx jubatus)

Carlos R. Sanchez, DVM, MSc,1* Suzan Murray, DVM, Dipl ACZM,1 and Laurie Marker,
PhD2
1
Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008
USA; 2Cheetah Conservation Fund, PO box 1755, Otjiwarongo, Namibia

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine is the active enantiomer of racemic medetomidine.1,2,4 Dexmedetomidine has

been used extensively in human medicine and was developed as a reversible adrenergic agonist
agent with potent analgesic, anxiolytic, and sedative effects.3 Dexmedetomidine acts specifically
and selectively on alpha-2-adrenoreceptors, more so than on alpha-1-adrenoreceptors at a ratio of
1600:1. Due to this high selectivity of alpha-2 receptors, dexmedetomidine offers more potent
sedation and analgesia with less cardiovascular depression than alpha-1 receptor activation.1,2

Nineteen captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Namibia
were immobilized for annual examination. The cheetahs received dexmedetomidine (Dx)
dosages ranging from 12.8-22.5 µg/kg (17.4 ± 3.02 µg/kg) and ketamine (K) dosages of 4.2-5.9
mg/kg (5.01 ± 0.56 mg/kg) given intramuscularly. Sedation, analgesia and muscle relaxation
were rated subjectively. Temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, end-tidal CO2 and indirect
blood pressure were measured every 5 min for 1 hr. Blood gas analysis was done within the first
15 min after initial injection. After 1 hr, the cheetahs were placed on isofluorane by endotracheal
tube. At the end of each procedure the sedative effect was reversed using a dose of atipamezole
administered intramuscularly at 10 times the initial dose of dexmedetomidine

The combination of dexmedetomidine/ketamine produced a fast and smooth induction with

excellent sedation level for minor procedures and transportation. Although the cardiovascular
parameters were similar to those observed with medetomidine (M) and ketamine (K)
combinations, the mean heart rate with the Dx/K combination was slightly higher than M/K, but
the difference was not statistically significant. Two cheetahs showed marked bradycardia and
few individuals experienced ventricular premature contractions as noted on the ECG. The dose
of isofluorane needed for anesthesia maintenance was half the dose of isofluorane used for the
maintenance of cheetahs induced with a medetomidine/ketamine combination. Recoveries were
subjectively faster with the dexmedetomidine combination compared with M/K.

Dexmedetomidine, in combination with ketamine, is a safe alternative for the immobilization of

captive cheetahs. Although the cardiorespiratory and clinical effects of dexmedetomidine did not
differ significantly from M/K combinations, less bradycardic effects and the shorter recovery
times make use of this combination more suitable than M/K combinations.

2008 PROCEEDINGS AAZV ARAV JOINT CONFERENCE

110
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Leigh Pitsko, and Marianne De Jonge for their assistance
during the immobilizations. Thanks also to the numerous volunteers at the CCF for their help during the annual
examinations of the cheetahs.

LITERATURE CITED

1. Kuusela, E. 2004. Dexmedetomidine and levomedetomidine, the isomers of medetomidine in dogs. Academic
dissertation. Univ. of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
2. Kuusela, E., M. Raekallio, and O. Vainio. 2000. Comparison of three doses of dexmedetomidine and its
enantiomers in dogs. J. Vet. Pharmacol. Ther. 23: 15-20.
3. Mantz, J. 1999. Dexmedetomidine. Drugs of Today. 35: 151-157.
4. Selmi, A.L., M.M. Guilherme, B.T. Lins, J.P. Figueiredo, and G.R. Barbudo-Selmi. 2003. Evaluation of the
sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine-butorphanol, and
dexmedetomidine-ketamine in cats. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 222: 37-41.

2008 PROCEEDINGS AAZV ARAV JOINT CONFERENCE

111