Browsing by Author "Nunes, Ana Margarida Martins"
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- Chemical restraint in free-ranging phocid seals with Tiletamine and ZolazepamPublication . Nunes, Ana Margarida Martins; Montezinho, Liliana Cristina PereiraChemical restraint is the immobilization of an animal through the use of anesthetic drugs for a short period of time. This process should be quick, easy to control, safe, and have few side effects. Restraint of Phocids is used for research and medical purposes. Marine mammals possess alterations in their anatomy and physiology to live in a marine environment. Furthermore, there is an intricate physiological and behavioral reaction that occurs when these animals dive. All these adaptations should be known as they may cause certain complications during anesthesia. Therefore, chemical restraint should be planned according to the species, weight, behavior and location of the phocid. There are many different agents that have been applied to Phocids, but combinations with cyclohexylamines are often used in the chemical immobilization of these animals. The combination of Tiletamine-Zolazepam is one of the most used protocols in these species since it requires small amounts and allows a rapid induction with predictable responses. However, certain side effects may happen during chemical restraint, such as apnea and profound bradycardia, which are yet to be fully understood. Therefore, careful monitoring of anesthesia is vital for a successful immobilization. Further studies are needed to understand the cause of the common complications that occur during phocid immobilizations to be better prepared when these happen. Chemical restraint in marine mammals is an evolving area in which new protocols, agents and techniques are still being investigated.