Xylazine-induced sedation in axis deer (Axis axis) and its reversal by atipamezole.

Eight free-ranging axis deer (Axis axis) were captured in drive nets and injected with xylazine (3.4 +/- 0.1 mg/kg; mean +/- SEM) intramuscularly using a hand-held syringe. Xylazine induced complete immobilization and sedation in three animals, heavy sedation in three, and moderate sedation in two. The mean induction time was 10.4 +/- 1.0 min. The mean rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates of immobilized animals were 39.2 +/- 0.4 degrees C, 75.5 +/- 6.5 beats/min and 62.1 +/- 4.2 breaths/min, respectively. All the animals were given atipamezole intravenously for reversal. The mean time from injection of xylazine to administration of atipamezole was 37.8 +/- 4.6 min. A dose ratio (w/w) for xylazine:atipamezole-HCl of 10:1 was used. The mean time from injection of atipamezole to mobility was 2.41 +/- 0.58 min. Atipamezole given intravenously effectively antagonized xylazine-induced sedation in axis deer. Only one animal showed signs of overalertness after reversal and no cases of resedation were observed.