VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

USAGE OF ETORPHINE

• Dose is 1 mg per 450 Kg body weight, in general as the case with African elephants. This is a narcotic drug and hence, human health hazards are common with this if it spills on body regions. It is better to overdose with etorphine than to under dose. Hence, one has to be more careful while handling this drug in case of wild animals of any species.
• Inclusion of acepromazine which is a phenothiazine derivative helps to reduce the initial excitement and to maintain the residual tranquilizer effects even after the reversal of the drug but being a phenothiazine derivative, the photosensitization related reactions are to be taken care of well.
• Intravenous route of administration may be done with fluids or alone. The dose of antidote (diprenorphine) for etorphine is 2 mg per Kg body weight by means of I/V route.