The potential of midazolam for use as a sedative for blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi)
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Wildlife translocation results in stress in the animals, which impacts negatively on their welfare.Midazolam is used as a sedative in domestic species, with minimal cardiopulmonary side effects.Midazolam's effects in wildlife has not yet been determined.This study aimed to evaluate midazolam as a sedative in blesbok.The first phase of the overall study entailed a pilot study using indigenous goats to determine the pharmacokinetic behavior of midazolam.Blood samples were collected at set time intervals following intramuscular (IM) midazolam administration in the goats.Resulting serum samples were analysed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry, and a concentration-time profile of IM midazolam was compiled.Calculation of the pharmacokinetic parameters of midazolam indicated that it took approximately 36 min to reach a maximum serum concentration of 127.3 ng/L.Midazolam had a poor bioavailability and a relatively short elimination half-life.In the second part of the study, the Equivital TM EQ02 biotelemetry system was validated for use in blesbok.On the first day of the validation study, two blesbok were immobilised, fitted with a biotelemetry belt, and translocated to a laboratory.The heart and respiration rate of each animal were individually recorded for 20 min using the Equivital TM system, a Cardell® monitor and a manual recording method.The accuracy of the Equivital TM system in detecting changes in heart and respiration rate caused by adrenaline and Dopram® administration respectively, was also assessed.After 20 min of recording, the animals were returned to the enclosure and the anaesthetic was reversed.The Equivital TM system remained on the animals for an additional 24 hrs to determine its accuracy in measuring physiological parameters and motion changes of conscious blesbok in captivity.After this 24 hr period, the experimental procedure was repeated.The agreement of the Equivital TM system with the Cardell® and the manual method for heart rate was moderate to excellent, while the agreement for respiration rate was poor to moderate.The Equivital TM system was accurate in measuring heart rate and detecting increases in heart rate resulting from adrenaline administration, but failed to accurately measure respiration rate and detect changes caused by Dopram®.The Equivital TM system successfully measured heart rate and motion changes of conscious blesbok in captivity.In the third part of the study, the effect of three midazolam doses on behaviour, feed intake, heart rate, respiration rate, motion, and level of sedation in blesbok were studied.Four trials were conducted to establish the effect of four different dosages, i.e. a placebo, 0.6 mg midazolam/kg body weight (BWt), 0.4 mg midazolam/kg BWt or 0.2 mg midazolam/kg BWt.After immobilisation, the animals were fitted with the Equivital TM biotelemetry belts.After reversal of the anaesthetic, the specific dose was administered intramuscularly.Blesbok behaviour was recorded for 12 hrs using a CCTV system.The animals were stimulated and scored for sedation and response to stimulus for the first six hours after midazolam Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Author: Dianca Du Plessis
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2945345838