TAPIR FIELD VETERINARY MANUAL - Tapir Specialist Group

APPENDIX 1 - General Information about Agents Commonly
Used for the Chemical Restraint of Tapirs
Alpha-2-Agonists: Medetomidine, Romifidine, Detomidine, and
Xylazine
Reversal Drugs: Atipamezole, Yohimbine, Tolazoline
These drugs produce depression of the Central Nervous System (CNS), being classified as
sedatives and soft analgesics, with myorelaxation properties. The use of these drugs in tapirs
should consider their capability of depressing the thermoregulation. In many species, these
drugs produce emesis, however this does not seem common in tapirs. On blood pressure,
there is an initial increase followed by a long depression. There are no studies on the blood
pressure of tapirs with these drugs, but the experience has shown that the later drop might
difficult blood collection from peripheral veins, which may be corrected with the use of
atropine. Other circulatory effects include bradicardia and arrhythmias. Short apnea and
exposure of the penis have also been reported as common with these drugs. The isolated use
of Alpha-2-agonists has proven efficient during a series of chemical restraint procedures. In
particular Romifidine has shown the best results, due to the low volume required, low costs
and stable cardio respiratory parameters. In general, Alpha-2-agonists have been considered
fundamental in the developing of simple and safe anesthetic protocols for tapirs. They have
been successfully associated with dissociative drugs, producing deeper anesthesia both in field
and captivity. They have also been associated with opioid derivates, producing safe chemical
restraint and deep sedation for field capture and handling.
Opioid Derivates: Butorphanol Tartarate, Carfentanil, Etorphine
Reversal Drug: Naloxone
The opioid derivates have been classically used on the restraint and anesthesia of tapirs both in
the wild and in captivity. They have been associated with Alpha-2-agonists and/or Ketamine,
producing stable cardio respiratory parameters and good analgesia. The anesthetic recovery is
smooth and fast, being accomplished naturally or with the use of Naloxone.
Dissociative Drugs: Ketamine, Tiletamine
No specific reversal drugs
The dissociative drugs, derivates of ciclohexamine, may produce amnesia and catalepsy,
providing an uncomfortable anesthetic induction and recovery, with ataxia, falls and pedaling
movements (especially with Tiletamine = Telazol, Zoletil). The associations of Tiletamine with
Alpha-2-agonists in tapirs may produce periods of anesthetic respiratory depression.
Sometimes the periods of apnea may require to be reversed by respiratory massage and
respiratory stimulants. When Alpha-2 reversal agents are not used, the anesthetic recovery
might be uncomfortable, with oscillations between consciousness and depression.