REVERSIBLE IMMOBILIZATION OF CHINESE WATER DEER {HYDROPOTESINERMIS) WITH KETAMINE AND XYLAZINE

Twenty-one Chinese water deer {Hydropotes inermis) were blowdarted with a combi nation of ketamine and xylazine, resulting in a level of sedation adequate for minor surgical pro cedures in 14 of the deer (mean dosages: ketamine, 7.2 mg/kg; xylazine, 7.3 mg/kg). Seven deer required an additional dose. Effective dosages were higher for males in rut. Heart rate appeared to be markedly depressed in sedated deer. Seven deer were driven into nets, and either xylazine or a ketamine-xylazine mixture was given i.m. or i.v. Xylazine alone (mean dosage, 1.8 mg/kg) produced a highly variable and usually inadequate depth of sedation. One of two alpha-2 adrenergic antag onists, RX821002A or yohimbine, was given i.v. or i.m. in 12 and two deer, respectively, resulting in complete anesthetic reversal. No anesthetic complications were seen in any deer.