Abstract
Between 1987 and 1997, we chemically immobilized 597 wild sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Alaska for the collection of biological samples or for surgical instrumentation. One drug-related sea otter fatality occurred during this time. Fentanyl in combination with diazepam produced consistent, smooth inductions with minimal need for supplemental anesthetics during procedures lasting 30-40 min. Antagonism with naltrexone or naloxone was rapid and complete, although we observed narcotic recycling in sea otters treated with naloxone. For surgical procedures, we recommend a fentanyl target dose of 0.33 mg/kg of body mass and diazepam at 0.11 mg/kg. For nonsurgical biological sample collection procedures, we recommend fentanyl at 0.22 mg/kg and diazepam at 0.07 mg/kg. We advise the use of the opioid antagonist naltrexone at a ratio of 2:1 to the total fentanyl administered during processing.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Anesthesia / adverse effects
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Anesthesia / methods
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Anesthesia / veterinary*
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Anesthetics, Combined* / administration & dosage
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Anesthetics, Combined* / adverse effects
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Anesthetics, Combined* / antagonists & inhibitors
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Anesthetics, Intravenous / administration & dosage
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Anesthetics, Intravenous / adverse effects
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Anesthetics, Intravenous / antagonists & inhibitors
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Animals
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Azaperone / administration & dosage
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Azaperone / adverse effects
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Azaperone / antagonists & inhibitors
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Body Temperature / drug effects
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Diazepam / administration & dosage
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Diazepam / adverse effects
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Diazepam / antagonists & inhibitors
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Female
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Fentanyl / administration & dosage
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Fentanyl / adverse effects
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Fentanyl / antagonists & inhibitors
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Heart Rate / drug effects
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / antagonists & inhibitors
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Immobilization*
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Logistic Models
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Male
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Naloxone / pharmacology
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Naltrexone / pharmacology
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Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
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Otters / physiology*
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Respiration / drug effects
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Seizures / chemically induced
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Seizures / veterinary
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Time Factors
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Tremor / chemically induced
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Tremor / veterinary
Substances
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Anesthetics, Combined
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Anesthetics, Intravenous
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Hypnotics and Sedatives
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Narcotic Antagonists
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Azaperone
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Naloxone
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Naltrexone
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Diazepam
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Fentanyl