Acid-base status and blood gas arterial values in free-ranging sika deer hinds immobilized with medetomidine and ketamine.

Ten free-ranging female sika deer (Cervus nippon) were captured to obtain the reference values for acid-base status and blood gas when immobilized with the combination of medetomidine and ketamine. The mean +/- SE of PaCO2, PaO2, and HCO3- were 58.1 +/- 6.1 mmHg, 58.8 +/- 6.4 mmHg, and 36.0 +/- 4.4 mmol/l, respectively. Although acidosis and alkalosis occurred in three and two animals, respectively, no serious conditions were observed. The blood values, however, suggest that some degree of hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis with metabolic alkalosis are developed. The trapped deer showed a significantly higher than normal rectal temperature reflective of exertion.