Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 40(3), 2004, pp. 562-565
© Wildlife Disease Association 2004
Intranasal Administration of Xylazine to Reduce Stress in Elk Captured by Net Gun
Marc R. L. Cattet1,5,
Nigel A. Caulkett2,
Clay Wilson3,
Tony Vandenbrink3 and
Ryan K. Brook4
1 Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada;
2 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada;
3 Bighorn Helicopters Inc., 1817 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, British Columbia V1C 4H7, Canada;
4 Environmental Science Program, 239 Machray Hall, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
5 Corresponding author (email: marc.cattet{at}usask.ca)
ABSTRACT:
Forty free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) were captured by net gun in Riding Mountain National Park (Manitoba, Canada) during February 2002 and were administered either saline (control) or xylazine by the intranasal route, to evaluate the efficacy and benefit of intranasal xylazine to reduce stress. Elk that received xylazine had higher relaxation scores than control elk, and the onset of sedation occurred quickly, often <1 min. Serum concentrations of cortisol, creatine kinase, and 
-glutamyltransferase were lower in elk that received xylazine than in control elk. At the conclusion of handling, the intravenous administration of yohimbine quickly abolished the sedative effect of xylazine, which allowed elk to be released without concern of physical injury due to ataxia. The intranasal administration of xylazine can be used to reduce stress in wild animals under situations where they are being handled while physically restrained.
Key words: Capture, Cervus elaphus manitobensis, elk, handling, intranasal, net gun, saline, serum biochemistry, stress, xylazine, yohimbine.
Copyright © 2004 by the Wildlife Disease Association.
