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Zoological Restraint and Anesthesia - Heard D.
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Restraint and Anesthesia of Dasyurids (Dasyuromorphia)

Author(s):
Holz P.
In: Zoological Restraint and Anesthesia by Heard D.
Updated:
AUG 14, 2002
Languages:
  • EN
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    Introduction

    Dasyurids represent the carnivorous marsupials that range in size from the narrow-nosed planigale (4 - 9 g) up to the Tasmanian devil (up to 9 kg). Table 1 lists all the dasyurids with their weights. They have four pairs of upper incisors, three pairs of lower incisors, well developed upper and lower canines, two or three pairs of upper and lower blade-like premolars and four pairs of upper and lower molars with sharp, shearing cusps. The forefeet have five clawed toes, the first toe on the hindfoot is either short or absent, and the second and third toes of the hindfeet are not fused. This fusion is seen in many of the other marsupial groups, such as the macropods and possums.

    The number of teats ranges from four to twelve. Many species lack a pouch. In phascogales eight teats are situated on a circular patch of skin on the abdomen. In other species low lateral folds develop at the sides of the mammary area of a lactating female. These folds do not constitute a pouch in the strict sense and provide very little protection for the young which, as they develop, dangle from the mother’s belly between her fore- and hindlegs. A permanent pouch is present in most ningauis, kultarr, spotted-tail quoll and Tasmanian devil.

    Manual Restraint

    Wild animals perceive handling as a major stressor usually associated with being killed. Consequently, manual restraint is only used for minor procedures or prior to the induction of general anaesthesia. Any attempt at physical restraint will result in considerable panic and struggling on the part of the animal which will activate the "fight or flight response". This will lead to a release of catecholamines that may result in untoward effects such as hyperthermia or ventricular fibrillation.

    As well as attempting to escape the animal will try to defend itself. In the case of dasyurids they will endeavour to bite the individual attempting to restrain them. This will result in a minor degree of pain and inconvenience when caused by an antechinus or dunnart, but the larger members of the group, such as the Tasmanian devil, can inflict severe injuries. Considerable care is required when attempting to restrain this last group.

    When restraining or transporting dasyurids it is advantageous to place them in a bag. This can range from a pillowcase in the smaller animals up to a large Hessian (Burlap) sack for Tasmanian devils. Animals in bags tend to relax as outside stimuli and visual threats are removed. The chance of injury is decreased, as they cannot kick out against solid objects. It also gives the operator the upper hand as they know where the animal is but the animal does not know where the operator is.

    Small dasyurids can be gripped by the scruff of the neck and placed in a bag. Alternatively, they can be held firmly around the body (Fig. 1). It is important not to clasp them too firmly as suffocation is possible.

    Larger dasyurids, such as quolls and devils, can be caught in a net or restrained by the tail and then lowered into a bag. Devils must be closely monitored while in the bag as they can chew their way out.

    Manual restraint of an eastern quoll.
    Figure 1. Manual restraint of an eastern quoll.

    Chemical Restraint - Gaseous Anaesthesia

    This is the anaesthetic technique of choice. If the animal can be manually restrained, the safest way to induce general anaesthesia is via a non-rebreathing circuit (e.g., Ayre's T-piece), and a mask (Fig. 2). Masks can be custom made using variably sized plastic bottles. The bottom is cut off and a piece of rubber glove is stretched over the opening. A hole is then made in the glove to accommodate the animal's face. For animals in bags anaesthesia can be induced either through the bag, or by extracting the head and placing it in the mask.

    Induction involves exposure to 5% isoflurane delivered at an oxygen flow rate of 200 ml/kg/min with a minimum of 1L/min. Maintenance of anaesthesia generally requires 2% isoflurane, but this varies between species and individuals.

    If isoflurane is unavailable halothane is an acceptable substitute, but is not as safe and requires close monitoring.

    Tasmanian devil maintained an isoflurane with a facemask.
    Figure 2. Tasmanian devil maintained an isoflurane with a facemask.

    Chemical Restraint - Injectable Anaesthesia

    If the animal cannot be restrained to induce gaseous anaesthesia it will require an injectable induction. Sedation suitable for transport will occur after 1 - 2 mg/kg diazepam is injected intramuscularly.

    To induce general anaesthesia Zoletil (Telazol) can be injected at 10 mg/kg intramuscularly [1]. Zoletil is a combination of tiletamine and zolazepam. The advantage of Zoletil is its low volume and rapid effect. However, relaxation is variable, constant limb movement having been observed in Tasmanian devils. Recoveries can also be prolonged, in excess of six hours in one Tasmanian devil [2]. Alternatively, xylazine/ketamine combinations can be used. Dose rates are 4 mg/kg xylazine combined with 20 mg/kg ketamine injected intramuscularly.

    Venipuncture Sites

    Ventral coccygeal vein - Insert the needle perpendicular to the tail, in the ventral midline, and advance it until the vertebrae are reached. Withdraw the needle slightly and blood should enter the needle hub. This vein is useful for smaller dasyurids (Fig. 3).

    Femoral vein/artery - Direct the needle at the pulse felt in the groin region. Arterial blood is often obtained and digital pressure is required to prevent hematoma formation.

    Medial metatarsal vein - This is a small vein running along the medial aspect of the hindleg.

    Cephalic vein - This vein is present on the dorsal surface of either foreleg. It can be used in Tasmanian devils and quolls.

    Jugular vein - This vein is suitable for blood sampling in all dasyurids.

    Ventral coccygeal vein in an antechinus.
    Figure 3. Ventral coccygeal vein in an antechinus.

    Table 1. Dasyurid Weights [3].

    Common Name

    Scientific Name

    Weight - Male

    Weight - Female

    Mulgara

    Dasycercus cristicauda

    75 - 170 g

    60 - 95 g

    Little Red Kaluta

    Dasykaluta rosamondae

    25 - 40 g

    20 - 30 g

    Kowari

    Dayuroides byrnei

    85 - 140 g

    70 - 105 g

    Western Quoll

    Dasyurus geoffroii

    710 - 1310 g

    615 - 1130 g

    Northern Quoll

    Dasyurus hallucatus

    400 - 900 g

    300 - 500 g

    Spotted-Tailed Quoll

    Dasyurus maculatus

    370 - 550 g

    340 - 420 g

    Eastern Quoll

    Dasyurus viverrinus

    900 - 2000 g

    700 - 1100 g

    Southern Dibbler

    Parantechinus apicalis

    60 - 100 g

    40 - 75 g

    Northern Dibbler

    Parantechinus bilarni

    20 - 40 g

    15 - 35 g

    Fat-Tailed Pseudantechinus

    Pseudantechinus macdonnellensis

    25 - 45 g

    20 - 40 g

    Carpentarian Pseudantechinus

    Pseudantechinus mimulus

    14 - 18 g

    14 - 25 g

    Ningbing Pseudantechinus

    Pseudantechinus ningbing

    20 - 25 g

    15 - 20 g

    Woolley’s Pseudantechinus

    Pseudantechinus woolleyae

    35 - 50 g

    30 - 45 g

    Tasmanian Devil

    Sarcophilus harrisii

    9 kg

    7 kg

    Fawn Antechinus

    Antechinus bellus

    42 - 66 g

    26 - 41 g

    Yellow-footed Antechinus

    Antechinus flavipes

    26 - 79 g

    21 - 52 g

    Atherton Antechinus

    Antechinus godmani

    85 - 125 g

    53 - 73 g

    Cinnamon Antechinus

    Antechinus leo

    67 - 124 g

    32 - 74 g

    Swamp Antechinus

    Antechinus minimus

    30 - 103 g

    24 - 65 g

    Brown Antechinus

    Antechinus stuartii

    29 - 71 g

    17 - 40 g

    Dusky Antechinus

    Antechinus swainsonii

    43 - 178 g

    37 - 100 g

    Dusky Antechinus

    Antechinus swainsonii

    43 - 178 g

    37 - 100 g

    Agile Antechinus

    Antechinus sp.

    20 - 40 g

    16 - 25 g

    Red-Tailed Phascogale

    Phascogale calura

    39 - 68 g

    38 - 48 g

    Brush-Tailed Phascogale

    Phascogale tapoatafa 1

    75 - 311 g

    106 - 212 g

    Giles’ Planigale

    Planigale gilesi

    9.5 - 16.0 g

    5.0 - 9.0 g

    Long-Tailed Planigale

    Planigale ingrami

    3.9 - 4.5 g

    4.2 - 4.5 g

    Common Planigale

    Planigale maculata

    6 - 22 g

    7 - 15 g

    Narrow-nosed Planigale

    Planigale tenuirostris

    4.5 - 9.0 g

    4.0 - 7.0 g

    Wongai Ningaui

    Ningaui ridei

    6.5 - 10.5 g

    6.5 - 10.5 g

    Pilbara Ningaui

    Ningaui timealeyi

    2.0 - 9.4 g

    2.0 - 9.4 g

    Southern Ningaui

    Ningaui yvonneae

    4 - 10 g

    4 - 10 g

    Kultarr

    Antechinomys laniger

    30 g

    20 g

    Kangaroo Island Dunnart

    Sminthopsis aitkeni

    20 - 25 g

    20 - 25 g

    Chestnut Dunnart

    Sminthopsis archeri

    16 g

    16 g

    Kakadu Dunnart

    Sminthopsis bindi

    12 - 14 g

    12 - 14 g

    Fat-Tailed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis crassicaudata

    10 - 20 g

    10 - 20 g

    Little Long-Tailed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis dolichura

    11 - 20 g

    10 - 21 g

    Julia Creek Dunnart

    Sminthopsis douglasi

    50 - 70 g

    40 - 60 g

    Gilbert’s Dunnart

    Sminthopsis gilberti

    14 - 25 g

    14 - 25 g

    White-Tailed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis granulipes

    18 - 37 g

    18 - 37 g

    Grey-bellied Dunnart

    Sminthopsis griseoventer

    15 - 24 g

    14 - 20 g

     

    Hairy-footed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis hirtipes

    13.0 - 19.5 g

    13.0 - 19.5 g

    White-footed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis leucopus

    26 - 32 g

    19 - 25 g

    Long-Tailed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis longicaudata

    15 - 21 g

    15 - 21 g

    Stripe-faced Dunnart

    Sminthopsis macroura

    15 - 25 g

    15 - 25 g

    Common Dunnart

    Sminthopsis murina

    16 - 28 g

    10 - 22 g

    Ooldea Dunnart

    Sminthopsis ooldea

    9 - 17 g

    8 - 15 g

    Sandhill Dunnart

    Sminthopsis psammophila

    30 - 44 g

    25 - 35 g

    Red-cheeked Dunnart

    Sminthopsis virginiae

    31 - 58 g

    18 - 34 g

    Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart

    Sminthopsis youngsoni

    8.5 - 12.0 g

    8.5 - 12.0 g

    Tables 2 - 4 list published physiological parameters, and hematology and biochemistry values for some dasyurid species.

    Table 2. Physiological Parameters [4].

    Tasmanian Devil

    Body Temperature (ºC)

    31 - 38

    Heart Rate (beats/min)

    102 +/- 16

    Respiratory Rate

    20

    Arterial pH

    7.44 +/- 0.04

    PO2 (mm Hg)

    98.5 +/- 15

    PCO2 (mm Hg)

    30.8 +/- 3.95

    HCO3 (mmol/l)

    19.3 +/- 2.24

    Systolic Pressure (mm Hg)

    131 +/- 26

    Diastolic Pressure (mm Hg)

    98 +/- 23

    Table 3. Hematology [4-8].

     

    Tasmanian Devil

    Eastern Quoll

    Western Quoll

    Brown Antechinus

    Red-Tailed Phascogale

    Brush-Tailed Phascogale

    Fat-Tailed Dunnart

    Hb (g/L)

    110 - 200

    131 - 199

    128.2 - 184.9

    139 - 169

    158 - 169

    145 - 178

    87 - 141

    PCV (%)

    39.1 - 41.7

    38 - 46

    37 - 54

    39 - 43

    45 - 48

    0.38 - 0.54

    0.26-0.43

    RBC (1012/L)

    5.84 - 6.59

    7.1 - 13.1

    7.07 - 9.87

    9.01 - 11.14

    9.2 - 12.7

     

     

    RCC (1012/L)

     

     

     

     

     

    7.43 - 10.81

    4.9 - 8.6

    MCH (pg)

    22.3 - 24.1

    12.1 - 18.3

    16 - 21

    14.2 - 16.2

    8.5 - 18.2

    15.7 - 18.5

     

    MCHC (g/L)

    34.6 - 35,5

     

    315 - 353

    344 - 375

    317 - 331

    313 - 349

    302 - 351

    WBC (109/L)

    8.6 - 14.6

    1.0 - 9.8

    0.86 - 10.74

    4.9 - 8.9

    3.0 - 4.5

    1.7 - 4.6

    0.5 - 6.1 (26)

    Neutrophils

    (109/L)

    44 - 52

    1.1 - 4.4

    0.16 - 7.26

     

    1.0 - 2.5

    0.6 - 2.1

     

    Bands (109/L)

     

     

    0 - 0.05

     

     

    0

     

    Lymphocyte
    (10
    9/L)

    45 - 51

    1.3 - 3.9

    0.21 - 3.47

     

    1.7 - 2.7

    0.8 - 1.9

     

    Monocytes
    (10
    9/L)

    2 - 6

    0.25 - 0.35

    0.03 - 0.46

     

    0 - 0.3

    0.1 - 0.8

     

    Eosinophils
    (10
    9/L)

    0 - 4

    0.23 - 0.34

    0.01 - 0.67

     

     

    0 - 0.04

     

    Basophils
    (10
    9/L)

    0

     

    0 - 0.1

     

     

    0

     

    Reticulocytes
    (10
    9/L)

     

     

     

     

     

     

    400 - 800 (5)

    Platelets
    (10
    9/L)

     

     

     

     

     

    440 - 560 (3)

     

    Total Plasma
    Solids (g/L)

     

     

    51.4 - 80.9

    60 - 62

     

     

     

    Fibrinogen
    (g/L)

     

     

    0 - 5

     

     

     

     

    Table 4. Biochemistry

     

    Tasmanian Devil

    Eastern Quoll

    Western Quoll

    Brush-Tailed Phascogale

    Urea (mmol/L)

     

     

    14.0 - 23.9

    17.7 - 25.3

    Creatinine (umol/L)

     

     

    33 - 75

    10 - 30

    Phosphorus (mmol/L)

     

     

    1.18 - 3.42

    0.90 - 2.38

    Calcium (mmol/L)

     

     

    2.14 - 2.71

    1.98 - 2.25

    Glucose (mmol/L)

     

     

    2.6 - 9.7

     

    Protein (g/L)

     

     

    44.8 - 74.2

     

    Albumine (g/L)

     

     

    27.2 - 35.8

     

    CK (U/L)

     

     

    175 - 5747

     

    ALP (U/L)

     

     

    102 - 1020

     

    ALT (U/L)

    77 - 80

    25 - 51

    12 - 100

     

    AST (U/L)

    190 - 200

    53 - 60

    16 - 274

     

    Sodium (mmol/L)

     

    134.5

     

    143 - 150

    Potassium (mmol/L)

     

    5.3

     

    2.7 - 4.6

    Chloride (mmol/L)

     

     

     

    110 - 120

    Bicarbonate (mmol/L)

     

     

     

    15 - 28

    Cholesterol (mmol/L)

     

     

    2.2 - 6.6

     

    Bilirubin (umol/L)

     

     

    0.2 - 6.9

     

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    References

    1. Vogelnest L. Chemical restraint of Australian native fauna. In: Wildlife in Australia, Proceedings 327, Post Graduate Committee in Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney. 1999; 149-187.

    2. Holz P. Immobilization of marsupials with tiletamine and zolazepam. J Zoo Wildl Med 1992; 23: 426-428.

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    How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?

    Holz, P. (2002) “Restraint and Anesthesia of Dasyurids (Dasyuromorphia)”, Zoological Restraint and Anesthesia. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/zoological-restraint-and-anesthesia/restraint-and-anesthesia-of-dasyurids-dasyuromorphia (Accessed: 25 March 2023).

    Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication

    Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia.

    Author(s)

    • Holz P.

      Associate Veterinarian
      BVSc DVSc MACVSc Dipl ACZM
      Healesville Sanctuary,
      Read more about this author

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