Comparative cardiorespiratory and body temperature effects of ketamine-medetomidine, ketamine-xylazine, and ketamine-xylazine-diazepam anaesthetic protocols on the binturong (Arctictis binturong)

Anotace: Here, we report retrospective data regarding cardiorespiratory and body temperature effects of anaesthetic protocols used on the binturong (Arctictis binturong), a viverrid species facing increasing threats from habitat loss and illegal trade. Between 2017 and 2024, 16 binturong (9 females, body mass 9.1–19.3 kg; 7 males, 12–18.7 kg) aged 1.5 to 20.5 years were anaesthetised on 38 occasions in a rescue centre in Laos using one of three anaesthetic protocols based on combinations of ketamine plus the α2 adrenergic receptor agonists medetomidine (n = 12) and/or xylazine (n = 20) plus diazepam (n = 6). No anaesthesia-related health problems or deaths were observed. Binturong administered different anaesthetic protocols showed no differences in time to observation of first signs of sedation (2–7 min) and onset of deep anaesthesia (3–39 min). Heart rate gradually decreased to bradycardia over the 75 min of anaesthesia with ketamine plus medetomidine and, while respiratory rate remained steady, males became hypothermic. Male body temperatures decreased even further when injected with ketamine plus xylazine. All three combined anaesthetic protocols proved safe and effective for repeated use. However, the cardiorespiratory and hypothermic effects observed suggest that medetomidine may be superior to xylazine. Nevertheless, perioperative body temperature monitoring and management will be imperative to prevent inadvertent temperature complications. Our findings improve understanding of binturong responses to anaesthesia and will have positive implications for wildlife veterinarians and conservation medicine.