Yohimbine injection in deer

Authors: van Reenen G, Mackintosh CG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 32, Issue 12, pp 217-218, Dec 1984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Anaesthesia/analgesia/sedation, Animal remedies/veterinary medicines
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In the 12 months since the completion of the trials reported in this Journal over 3000 doses of yohimhine have been used to reverse xylazine sedation in deer at lnvermay and in lield trials throughoLlt New Zealand. During this time four deer have surered transient convulsions characterised by tetanic spasms, paddling of the limbs, inability to stand and rapid nodding of the head. This was accompanied by rapid blinking of the eyelids and grinding of the teeth. These signs abated in 5 to 10 minutes after which time the deer relaxed and regained its feet in 10 to 20 minutes. In the 30 minutes prior to yohimbine administration these deer had received a single injection of xylazine (0.5 to 1.0 ms/kg) and on one occasion the xylazine was siven in conjunction with Img of fentanyl and 8 ms azaperone (0.1 ml Fentaz). On each occasion the intention was to inject yohimbine at the recommended dose rate (0.2 to 0.25 mf/kg) into the jugular vein and the convulsions commenced within live seconds of this injection. Normally it takes one to three minutes for reversal of xylazine sedation to occur. Thus it is highly likely that these injections were intracarotid, thereby resulting in very high concentration of yohimbine in the cranial arteries. All four animals recovered and there were no apparent after eflects. These convulsions occured more rapidly but were less severe than those…

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