Title
Immobilization of Rocky Mountain Elk with Telazol and Xylazine Hydrochloride, and Antagonism by Yohimbine Hydrochloride
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1995
Recommended Citation
Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol. 31, No. 2, 1995, 259-262.
COinS
Comments
Ten trapped Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) were successfully immobilized with a combination of 500 mg Telazol and 60 mg xylazine hydrochloride (HC1) from 9 July to 25 August 1993 in Custer State Park, South Dakota (USA). Mean (SD) dosages of 2.5 (0.6) mg/kg Telazol and 0.3 (0.1) mg/ kg xylazine HC1, respectively, were administered, resulting in a mean (SD) induction time of 4.6 (0.8) mm. Induction time varied with weight and dosage. Respiratory rate (breaths/ mm) increased following injection of Telazol and xylazine HC1 and remained elevated or continued to increase through 10 mm post-injection and then declined. There were no mortalities in this study. Forty mg of yohimbine HC1 was used as an antagonist in eight elk, resulting in a mean (SD) recovery time of 14.0 (9.9) mm when administered intravenously (n = 6), and 124.7(9.5) mm when given intramuscularly (n = 2). Recovery time varied with weight and dosage of yohimbine. Elk given 2.1 to 2.6 mg/kg Telazol and 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg xylazine HC1 responded to yohimbine HCI when administered intravenously.