Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine and ketamine-butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine chemical immobilization in habituated subadult female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis).
Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia January 1, 2025 Silke Pfitzer, Liesel L Laubscher, Jacobus P Raath et al.
Two drug combinations, BAM and KBAM, both reliably immobilized giraffes for 30 minutes, but KBAM (which includes ketamine) produced faster induction—6.3 minutes versus 17.1 minutes for BAM alone. All giraffes experienced hypoxaemia (low blood oxygen) and hyperlactataemia (high lactate), with average oxygen levels of 52 mmHg (BAM) and 41 mmHg (KBAM). Recoveries were calm with minimal unsteadiness. Because of clinically significant hypoxaemia, oxygen supplementation is recommended when using either combination.