Preliminary Results on the Chemical Immobilization of African Rodents: the Brush-Tailed Porcupine (<em>Atherurus africanus</em>, Gray 1842) and Giant Rat (<em>Cricetomys emini</em>, Waterhouse 1840). Study on Four Protocols

Abstract

The project DGEG (Game Farming Development in Gabon) aims at establishing technical references on farming of wild species, among which are the brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) and the giant rat (Cricetomys emini). In their daily practice, the authors had sometimes to give anesthetics before providing veterinary care. The effects of four protocols were tested at various dose rates: acepromazine, xylazine, a combination of xylazine and ketamine, and a combination of zolazepam and tiletamine. In the brush-tailed porcupine, lengths of induction, sleep-state and recovery induced by xylazine alone were very variable. The association xylazine at 1 mg/kg and ketamine at 5 mg/kg was very efficient for surgical anesthesia. In the giant rat, acepromazine at 5 mg/kg induced a satisfactory level of tranquillization. The association xylazine at 10 mg/kg and ketamine at 50 mg/kg was efficient for surgical anesthesia. Use of xylazine alone is not recommended in this species.

Keywords

• Atherurus africanus
• Cricetomys emini
• Rongeur
• Anesthésie
• Gabon