Cardiopulmonary effects of carfentanil in dama gazelles (Gazella dama).

Sixteen (10 female, six male) captive-born dama gazelles (Gazella dama) weighing 48 +/- 10 kg (mean +/- SD) were used to evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of i.m. carfentanil and to validate the use of pulse oximetry in immobilized gazelles. Carfentanil (18.4 +/- 2.2 micrograms/kg i.m.) produced rapid induction (6 +/- 3 min), moderate muscle relaxation, and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in heart rate (87 +/- 12 beats/min) beginning 5 min following induction and continuing throughout the immobilization period. A decrease in respiratory rates began 15 min following induction (11 +/- 4 breaths/min). Systemic hypertension was present throughout the immobilization period. Arterial blood gas analysis, performed at 10, 20, and 30 min after induction, showed PaCO2 and PaO2 values within normal limits. Arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) was < 95% 10 min after induction. Relative arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) values indicated by pulse oximetry were generally lower than SaO2 values but reliably demonstrated trends in arterial oxygen saturation as confirmed by arterial blood gas analysis. Periods of hypoxemia were usually indicated by the pulse oximeter reading and confirmed by SaO2 measurements. There was an increase in creatine phosphokinase values (88 +/- 53 U/L to 109 +/- 48 U/L) at 30 min postimmobilization. Naltrexone reversal (1.8 +/- 0.3 mg/kg, half i.v. and half s.c.) was rapid and uneventful, and time to standing was 2 +/- 1 min.