Comparison of midazolam and butorphanol combined with ketamine or dexmedetomidine for chemical restraint in howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) for vasectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated and compared cardiorespiratory and blood gas parameters, as well as sedation, analgesia and recovery of two protocols: ketamine (10 mg/kg) or dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), with midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg), IM (KBM and DBM, respectively) in brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve brown howler monkeys were selected in two groups and evaluated for cardiorespiratory parameters and sedation, from 5-30 minutes after latency. Blood gas and arterial lactate were taken at 5 and 30 minutes. In the end, time and quality of recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: The HR in DBM group was significantly lower at all times. The sedation score was higher in DBM. Recovery in DBM was faster. All animals had moderate hypoxaemia. CONCLUSION: Both protocols produce satisfactory anaesthesia and analgesia, but DBM provides deeper sedation with faster recovery. Oxygen supplementation is recommended in both due to hypoxaemia.

Bacterial endocarditis and increased cardiac troponin I levels in a brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) with an interventricular septal defect.

A brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) was presented with lethargy, hyporexia, cough and heart murmur. The complementary tests and necropsy revealed pleuropneumonia, bacterial endocarditis and interventricular septal defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of increased cardiac troponin I levels in this species.