Chemical immobilisation of hylobates spp. using tiletamine-zolazepam and isoflurane or ketamine

Choong, C. L. and Chen, H.C. and A.A. Ahmad, . and Wong, P.T. and K. Seghar, . and M. Ramli, . (2025) Chemical immobilisation of hylobates spp. using tiletamine-zolazepam and isoflurane or ketamine. Jurnal Veterinar Malaysia (JVM), 37 (2). pp. 23-27. ISSN 0128-2506

Hylobates spp. are native to Peninsular Malaysia and are listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Assessment of anaesthetic effects is paramount to improve immobilisation protocol in this species. This paper reports the anaesthetic effects and physiological parameters of 13 healthy gibbons induced with tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) at 5 mg/kg, intramuscularly, and maintained with isoflurane (n = 8) or intravenous ketamine (n = 5) for health assessments. Tiletamine-zolazepam at a median dose of 5.19 mg/kg (interquartile range [IQR], 4.35-5.57 mg/kg) induced immobilisation, with gibbons showing no response to external stimuli at a median of 9 minutes (IQR, 5-14 minutes). Transient hypoxaemia occurred in five gibbons, which self-corrected as anaesthesia lightened or when oxygen was supplemented. Isoflurane maintenance produced more stable physiological parameters and deeper anaesthesia than intravenous ketamine. Hypotension with MAP below 50 mm Hg was detected in two gibbons under isoflurane. The recovery in the isoflurane group was smoother and shorter, with a median of 77 minutes (IQR, 48 88 minutes) compared to 125 minutes (IQR, 102-131 minutes) for ketamine. Two excitable gibbons experienced prolonged induction, requiring 24 and 53 minutes, respectively, to achieve recumbency. A nursing female with above average body weight required 220 minutes to recover. No other adverse effects occurred. These findings indicate that TZ at 5 mg/kg IM is effective for immobilising captive gibbons. Anaesthesia may be extended with either isoflurane or ketamine. Supplemental oxygen and blood pressure support should be available.

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Abstract

Hylobates spp. are native to Peninsular Malaysia and are listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Assessment of anaesthetic effects is paramount to improve immobilisation protocol in this species. This paper reports the anaesthetic effects and physiological parameters of 13 healthy gibbons induced with tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) at 5 mg/kg, intramuscularly, and maintained with isoflurane (n = 8) or intravenous ketamine (n = 5) for health assessments. Tiletamine-zolazepam at a median dose of 5.19 mg/kg (interquartile range [IQR], 4.35-5.57 mg/kg) induced immobilisation, with gibbons showing no response to external stimuli at a median of 9 minutes (IQR, 5-14 minutes). Transient hypoxaemia occurred in five gibbons, which self-corrected as anaesthesia lightened or when oxygen was supplemented. Isoflurane maintenance produced more stable physiological parameters and deeper anaesthesia than intravenous ketamine. Hypotension with MAP below 50 mm Hg was detected in two gibbons under isoflurane. The recovery in the isoflurane group was smoother and shorter, with a median of 77 minutes (IQR, 48 88 minutes) compared to 125 minutes (IQR, 102-131 minutes) for ketamine. Two excitable gibbons experienced prolonged induction, requiring 24 and 53 minutes, respectively, to achieve recumbency. A nursing female with above average body weight required 220 minutes to recover. No other adverse effects occurred. These findings indicate that TZ at 5 mg/kg IM is effective for immobilising captive gibbons. Anaesthesia may be extended with either isoflurane or ketamine. Supplemental oxygen and blood pressure support should be available.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Gibbonsia elegans
AGROVOC Term:	primates
AGROVOC Term:	immobilization
AGROVOC Term:	anaesthesia
AGROVOC Term:	ketamine
AGROVOC Term:	heat recovery
AGROVOC Term:	endangered species
AGROVOC Term:	veterinary medicine
AGROVOC Term:	hypotension
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Mr. MUHAMMAD FARHAN AFIF MOHD NAZRI
Date Deposited:	27 Aug 2026 00:48
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2026 00:48
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/26846

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