Butorphanol, Azaperone, and Medetomidine for Chemical Immobilization in Free-Ranging Shiras (Alces alces shirasi) Moose: Ground and Helicopter Darting in Wyoming, USA

Samantha E Allen; Peach Van Wick; Alyson B Courtemanch; Teal Cufaude

doi:10.7589/JWD-D-22-00072

Butorphanol, Azaperone, and Medetomidine for Chemical Immobilization in Free-Ranging Shiras (Alces alces shirasi) Moose: Ground and Helicopter Darting in Wyoming, USA

J Wildl Dis. 2023 Apr 1;59(2):359-362. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00072.

Authors

Samantha E Allen^{1

2}, Peach Van Wick³, Alyson B Courtemanch⁴, Teal Cufaude⁵

Affiliations

¹ Veterinary Services, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 1212 S Adams St, Laramie, Wyoming 82070, USA.
² Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, 1174 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, Wyoming 82070, USA.
³ Veterinary Services, Thorne/Williams Wildlife Research Center, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 2362 WY-34, Wheatland, Wyoming 82201, USA.
⁴ Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 420 N Cache St, Jackson, Wyoming 83001, USA.
⁵ Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 1212 S Adams St, Laramie, Wyoming 82070, USA.

PMID: 36989516
DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00072

Abstract

We chemically immobilized a free-ranging moose subspecies, Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi), using a combination of butorphanol (27.3 mg/mL), azaperone (9.1 mg/mL), and medetomidine (10.9 mg/mL). Ground and helicopter darting with fixed doses of 2 mL and 3 mL, respectively, safely immobilized 13 individuals in Wyoming, USA.

MeSH terms

Animals
Azaperone / pharmacology
Butorphanol / pharmacology
Deer*
Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
Immobilization / veterinary
Medetomidine* / pharmacology
Wyoming

Substances

Medetomidine
Azaperone
Butorphanol
Hypnotics and Sedatives