Propofol, a rapidly metabolized hypnotic, recently introduced into small animal practice is now widely used in dogs and cats. The use of this drug in large exotic felines has not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to compare three induction protocols: xylazine-ketamine, ketamine-diazepam, and ketamine-propofol for field anesthesia in the adult lion. Seventeen male and female adult African lions (Panthera leo), weighing 114.4 ± 11.3 kg (mean ± SD), from the Safari Wild Animal Park in Ramat Gan, Israel were anesthetized for tattooing and other minor procedures. Group I (6 lions) received xylazine, 1 mg/kg IM, followed after 6 minutes by ketamine, 10 mg/kg IM. Group II (5 lions) received ketamine, 10 mg/kg IM, followed by ketamine, 2 mg/kg IV, - diazepam, 0.2 mg/kg IV. Group III (6 lions) received ketamine, 10 mg/kg IM, followed by propofol, 1 mg/kg IV. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and time of induction were recorded for each lion. Reflexes (palpebral reflex, jaw tone, and tongue tone) were evaluated for each lion using a scale from zero to four with zero indicating the reflex was absent and four indicating a fully active reflex. Group I lions (xylazine/ketamine) showed lower heart rates (74.7 ± 11.1 beats/minute) intermediate respiratory rates (17.7 ± 5.5 breaths/minute) and weak reflexes (palpebral, 2.50 ± 0.58; jaw tone; 1.42 ± 0.42; and tongue tone; 1.33 ± 0.47). Group II lions (ketamine/diazepam) showed higher heart rates (121.3 ± 10.9 beats/minute) high respiratory rates (25.5 ± 12.5 breaths/minute) and stronger reflexes (palpebral, 3.13 ± 0.51, jaw tone, 2.33 ± 0.33; and tongue tone, 2.27 ± 0.28). Group III lions (ketamine/propofol) had intermediate heart rates (97.6 ± 9.7 beats/minute) low respiratory rates (12.1 ± 6.3 breaths/minute) and relatively strong reflexes (palpebral, 3.0 ± 0; jaw tone, 2.33 ± 0.42; and tongue tone, 2.17 ± 0.66). Comparison of parameters between the three groups was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Differences in heart rates were significant between groups (P < 0.0001). Differences in jaw tone were also significantly lower in Group I lions (P < 0.012). Although respiratory rate was consistently lower in Group III lions, it was not statistically significant probably due to the limited number of lions in each group. Induction was very smooth with propofol and apnea did not occur following injection of this drug. As the dose of propofol was relatively low (1 mg/kg) its use was economically feasible. We conclude that propofol is a suitable and safe anesthetic agent for induction in adult lions.
©1998, The American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists, all rights reserved.
This page is hosted for the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists by the Informatics Program of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
. Direct your questions or comments about the web page to our site host.