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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Antibody response to rabies vaccination in captive and free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus).

Fourteen captive and five free-ranging Minnesota gray wolves (Canis lupus) were tested for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) after vaccination with an inactivated canine rabies vaccine. Blood was collected from all wolves prior to vaccination and at 1 mo postvaccination (PV) and from all captive and three wild wolves at 3 mo PV. In addition, one free-ranging wolf was sampled at 4 mo PV, and two free-ranging wolves were sampled at 6 mo PV. All wolves were seronegative prior to vaccination. RVNA were detected in 14 (100%) captive wolves and in four of five (80%) free-ranging wolves. The geometric mean titer of the captive wolves at 1 mo PV was significantly higher (P = 0.023) than in the free-ranging wolves. Five of 13 (38.5%) captive wolves and none of the three (0%) free-ranging wolves had measurable RVNA at 3 mo PV. No measurable RVNA were detected in the serum samples collected from the free-ranging wolves at 4 and 6 mo PV. These results should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of free-ranging wolves tested. Further research is needed to properly assess immune function and antibody response to vaccination in captive wolves in comparison with their free-ranging counterparts.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cardiorespiratory effects of medetomidine-butorphanol, medetomidine-butorphanol-diazepam, and medetomidine-butorphanol-ketamine in captive red wolves (Canis rufus).

Safe, effective, and reversible immobilization protocols are essential for the management of free-ranging red wolves (Canis rufus). Combinations using an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist and ketamine have been shown to be effective for immobilization but are not reversible and can produce severe hypertension and prolonged or rough recoveries. To minimize hypertension and provide reversibility, 24 red wolves were immobilized using three medetomidine-butorphanol (MB) combinations without the use of ketamine in the initial injection. All wolves were administered medetomidine (0.04 mg/kg i.m.) and butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg i.m.). Seven wolves received no other immobilization agents (MB wolves), nine received diazepam (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) at the time they were instrumented (MBD wolves), and eight received ketamine (1 mg/kg i.v.) 30 min after instrumentation (MBK30 wolves). Physiologic parameters were monitored during immobilization. The heart rate was similar among the three groups for the first 30 min, and marked bradycardia was noted in one wolf from each group. Hypertension was observed initially in all three groups but was resolved within 10-30 min. The MBK30 wolves had significant elevations in heart rate and transient hypertension after intravenous ketamine administration. Most wolves had mild to moderate metabolic acidemia. Immobilizing drugs were antagonized in all wolves with atipamezole (0.2 mg/kg i.m.) and naloxone (0.02 mg/kg i.m.). The medetomidine-butorphanol-diazepam wolves were also given flumazenil (0.04 mg/kg i.v.). All wolves were standing within 12 min and were fully recovered within 17 min. Medetomamine-butorphanol and MBD combinations provided effective and reversible immobilization of red wolves without the sustained hypertension associated with the use of alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist-ketamine combinations. Delaying the administration of ketamine reduced its hypertensive effects.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1990

Physiological and behavioral responses of gray wolves (Canis lupus) to immobilization with tiletamine and zolazepam.

We conducted a series of experiments to examine the efficacy of Telazol (TEL) for immobilization of captive gray wolves (Canis lupus). Ten wolves were immobilized with either 5 or 10 mg/kg TEL. There was no difference in induction time (6.5 +/- 0.8 versus 5.8 +/- 1.2 min; P = 0.63) between the two doses, but the time to initial arousal was longer for the higher dose (P = 0.0008). Wolves were again immobilized with 10 mg/kg TEL and upon initial arousal were given additional doses of either 5.0 mg/kg TEL or 2.5 mg/kg ketamine (KET) to maintain immobilization. Wolves given boosters of TEL had longer second recovery times than wolves given KET (P = 0.01). There were no differences in induction times or arousal times for wolves immobilized with TEL that had been reconstituted with sterile water and stored at 20 C for 30 days (P greater than or equal to 0.11) or 60 days (P greater than or equal to 0.27) when compared to immobilization times using fresh solution. Induction times for wolves given TEL reconstituted with water and propylene glycol and stored for 60 days at -9 C were longer (P less than 0.05) than such times for wolves given standard TEL, but time to initial arousal was unchanged (P greater than or equal to 0.44). There were no differences in heart rates (P = 0.36), blood pressures (P = 0.32), respiratory rates (P = 0.91), and rectal temperatures (P = 0.62) between the two TEL doses. Telazol was shown to be an effective and safe immobilizing agent for gray wolves.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Dynamics of hybridization and introgression in red wolves and coyotes.

Hybridization and introgression are significant causes of endangerment in many taxa and are considered the greatest biological threats to the reintroduced population of red wolves (Canis rufus) in North Carolina (U.S.A.). Little is known, however, about these processes in red wolves and coyotes (C. latrans). We used individual-based simulations to examine the process of hybridization and introgression between these species. Under the range of circumstances we considered, red wolves in colonizing and established populations were quickly extirpated, persisted near the carrying capacity, or had intermediate outcomes. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the probabilities of quasi extinction and persistence of red wolves near the carrying capacity were most affected by the strength of two reproductive barriers: red wolf challenges and assortative mating between red wolves and coyotes. Because model parameters for these barriers may be difficult to estimate, we also sought to identify other predictors of red wolf population fate. The proportion of pure red wolves in the population was a strong predictor of the future probabilities of red wolf quasi extinction and persistence. Finally, we examined whether sterilization can be effective in minimizing introgression while allowing the reintroduced red wolfpopulation to grow. Our results suggest sterilization can be an effective short-term strategy to reduce the likelihood of extirpation in colonizing populations of red wolves. Whether red wolf numbers are increased by sterilization depends on the level of sterilization effort and the acting reproductive barriers. Our results provide an outline of the conditions likely required for successful reestablishment and long-term maintenance of populations of wild red wolves in the presence of coyotes. Our modeling approach may prove generally useful in providing insight into situations involving complex species interactions when data are few.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cardiorespiratory effects of four alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist-ketamine combinations in captive red wolves.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiopulmonary effects of immobilizing doses of xylazine-ketamine (XK), medetomidine-ketamine (MK), medetomidine-ketamine-acepromazine (MKA), and medetomidine-butorphanol-ketamine (MBK) in captive red wolves. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 32 adult captive red wolves. PROCEDURE: Wolves were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: XK, MK, MKA, or MBK. Physiologic variables measured included heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, tidal volume, oxygen-hemoglobin saturation (Spo2), end-tidal CO2, arterial blood gases, and rectal temperature. Induction time, muscle relaxation, and quality of recovery were assessed. RESULTS: Heart rates were lower in wolves in the MBK group than for the other groups. All 4 drug combinations induced considerable hypertension, with diastolic pressures exceeding 116 mm Hg. Blood pressure was lowest in wolves receiving the MBK combination. Respiratory rate was significantly higher in wolves receiving XK, MK, and MKA. Tidal volumes were similar for all groups. Wolves receiving XK, MK, and MKA were well-oxygenated throughout the procedure (SPo2 > 93%), whereas those receiving MBK were moderately hypoxemic (87% < Spo2 < 93%) during the first 20 minutes of the procedure. Hyperthermia was detected initially following induction in all groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist-ketamine combinations provide rapid reversible anesthesia for red wolves but cause severe sustained hypertension. Such an adverse effect puts animals at risk for development of cerebral encephalopathy, retinal hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and myocardial failure. Although the MBK combination offers some advantages over the others, it is advised that further protocol refinements be made to minimize risks associated with acute hypertension.

Acepromazine↗
PubMed1992

Influence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hormones on reproductive hormones in gray wolves (Canis lupus).

The release of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hormones was studied in intact and neutered gray wolves (Canis lupus) to determine how these hormones interact and affect reproductive hormones. Experiments were performed on adult wolves anesthetized with 400 mg ketamine and 50 mg promazine. Intravenous (i.v.) injections with 50 micrograms ovine corticotropin releasing factor (oCRF) significantly increased adrenocorticotropin (ACTH; P < or = 0.01), cortisol (CORT; P < or = 0.004), and progesterone (P < or = 0.036), but not beta-endorphin (P > or = 0.52). Since neutered wolves demonstrated dose-dependent elevations in response to ACTH, it was concluded that the progesterone was secreted from the adrenal gland. Basal luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in neutered wolves were similar before and 60 min after i.v. injection of 1, 5, or 25 IU ACTH (P > or = 0.36) or 2.2 mg/kg cortisol (P = 0.42). Neither 25 IU ACTH (P = 0.55) nor 0.22 mg/kg dexamethasone (P = 0.49) altered the LH response to injection of LH releasing hormone in neutered wolves. Chronic administration of 0.22 mg/kg/day dexamethasone for 3 d did not alter baseline LH concentrations (P = 0.75). Injection of 1.0 mg/kg naloxone (NAL), however, increased LH concentrations relative to baseline values in both intact (P = 0.032) and neutered (P = 0.0005) female wolves, but not in intact (P = 0.19) or neutered males (P = 0.07). These results indicated that in gray wolves (1) oCRF stimulated the release of pituitary and adrenal hormones in a fashion similar to that of other mammals; (2) the adrenal cortex was capable of secreting progesterone into the systemic circulation; (3) exogenous glucocorticoids did not alter LH concentrations; and (4) endogenous opioids may modulate LH secretion in female wolves.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1999

Genetic evidence for a recent origin by hybridization of red wolves.

Genetic data suggest that red wolves (Canis rufus) resulted from a hybridization between coyotes (C. latrans) and grey wolves (C. lupus). The data of the hybridization, however, is uncertain. According to one hypothesis, the two species came into contact as coyotes increased their geographical range in conjunction with the advance of European settlers and as grey wolves were extirpated from the American south. Alternatively, the red wolves could have originated tens of thousands of years ago as a result of climate and habitat changes that disturbed the ecology of the two parent species. To obtain an upper limit on the date of hybridization that would help to distinguish the two scenarios, we compared microsatellite allele length distributions from red wolves, coyotes and grey wolves. Subject to the assumptions of our analysis, we conclude that the red wolves originated as a result of hybridizations that occurred during the past 12,800 years, and probably during the past 2500 years.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Legacy lost: genetic variability and population size of extirpated US grey wolves (Canis lupus).

By the mid 20th century, the grey wolf (Canis lupus) was exterminated from most of the conterminous United States (cUS) and Mexico. However, because wolves disperse over long distances, extant populations in Canada and Alaska might have retained a substantial proportion of the genetic diversity once found in the cUS. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences of 34 pre-extermination wolves and found that they had more than twice the diversity of their modern conspecifics, implying a historic population size of several hundred thousand wolves in the western cUS and Mexico. Further, two-thirds of the haplotypes found in the historic sample are unique. Sequences from Mexican grey wolves (C. l. baileyi) and some historic grey wolves defined a unique southern clade supporting a much wider geographical mandate for the reintroduction of Mexican wolves than currently planned. Our results highlight the genetic consequences of population extinction within Ice Age refugia and imply that restoration goals for grey wolves in the western cUS include far less area and target vastly lower population sizes than existed historically.

Alaska↗
PubMed1997

Extensive interbreeding occurred among multiple matriarchal ancestors during the domestication of dogs: evidence from inter- and intraspecies polymorphisms in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA between dogs and wolves.

To test the hypothesis that the domestic dogs are derived from several different ancestral gray wolf populations, we compared the sequence of the displacement (D)-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 24 breeds of domestic dog (34 individual dogs) and 3 subspecies of gray wolf (Canis lupus lupus, C.l. pallipes and C.l. chanco; 19 individuals). The intraspecific sequence variations within domestic dogs (0.00-3.19%) and within wolves (0.00-2.88%) were comparable to the interspecific variations between domestic dogs and wolves (0.30-3.35%). A repetitive sequence with repeat units (TACACGTA/GCG) that causes the size variation in the D-loop region was also found in both dogs and wolves. However, no nucleotide substitutions or repetitive arrays were specific for domestic dogs or for wolves. These results showed that there is a close genetic relationship between dogs and wolves. Two major clades appeared in the phylogenetic trees constructed by neighbor-joining and by the maximum parsimony method; one clade containing Chinese wolf (C.l. chanco) showed extensive variations while the other showed only slight variation. This showed that there were two major genetic components both in domestic dogs and in wolves. However, neither clades nor haplotypes specific for any dog breed were observed, whereas subspecies-specific clades were found in Asiatic wolves. These results suggested that the extant breeds of domestic dogs have maintained a large degree of mtDNA polymorphisms introduced from their ancestral wolf populations, and that extensive interbreedings had occurred among multiple matriarchal origins.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Antibody responses of red wolves to canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus vaccination.

Twenty captive red wolves (Canis rufus), including 16 intended for release into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove, Tennessee (USA), and four housed at Knoxville Zoological Gardens, Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee, were evaluated for immunologic response to vaccination between June 1994 and April 1995. Wolves were vaccinated with modified-live (MLV) canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV2). Sera were collected, and immunofluorescent staining was performed for determination of immunoglobulin titers (CDV IgM, CDV IgG, and CPV2 IgG). A capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for validation purposes, to confirm the reactivity of our standard diagnostic reagents with red wolf serum. All wolves produced a measurable antibody response to CDV and CPV2 vaccination. Titers against CDV and CPV2 varied widely among individual wolves, but between-litter differences in mean titers were not significant. No consistent response between the degree of response to CDV versus CPV2 vaccination was observed in individual wolves. No differences were seen between IgG responses of pups vaccinated with univalent vaccines given concurrently or during alternating weeks. Pups had an IgG response to CDV and CPV2 vaccination as early as 9 wk of age. Mean post-vaccination IgG titers against CDV were at or above the level normally measured in vaccinated domestic dogs. Mean post-vaccination IgG titers against CPV2 were below the level normally measured in domestic dogs. Adult previously-vaccinated wolves had measurable CDV and CPV2 IgG titers more than 1 yr after vaccination, but did not have significant IgG titer increases after revaccination. We conclude that red wolves are capable of producing an antibody response after vaccination with commercial canine products but that their response to CPV2 vaccination was minimal. This response can be assayed using tests developed for domestic dogs.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Experimental Brucella abortus infection in wolves.

Four juvenile male wolves (Canis lupus) each received an oral dose of 1.6-1.7 x 10(12) colony-forming units of Brucella abortus biovar 1 isolated from a bison (Bison bison) in Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada), and two others served as negative controls. Infected wolves did not show clinical signs of disease but did develop high Brucella antibody titers. Small numbers of B. abortus were excreted sporadically in feces until day 50 postinoculation (PI). Very small numbers of the bacterium were isolated from urine of only one wolf late on the same day that it was infected, and very small numbers of colonies of B. abortus were obtained from buccal swabs of three wolves for up to 48 hr PI. Two infected wolves euthanized 6 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and colonies of B. abortus were isolated from thymus and most major lymph nodes. The other two infected wolves euthanized 12 mo after the start of the experiment had no lesions, and smaller numbers of brucellae were recovered from fewer lymph nodes compared with the wolves killed 6 mo earlier. The sporadic excretion of very small numbers of brucellae by the wolves was insignificant when compared with the infective dose for cattle. Brucella abortus, brucellosis, Canis lupus, pathogenesis, serology, wolf.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Antibodies against canine parvovirus in wolves of Minnesota: a serologic study from 1975 through 1985.

Serum samples (n = 137) from 47 wild wolves (Canis lupus; 21 pups and 26 adults) were evaluated from 1975 to 1985 for antibodies against canine parvovirus, using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. In addition, several blood samples (n = 35) from 14 of these wolves (6 pups and 8 adults) were evaluated simultaneously for erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and for hemoglobin and blood urea nitrogen concentrations. Sixty-nine (50%) of the serum samples (35 wolves) had HI titers of greater than or equal to 256, whereas 68 (50%) of the samples (16 wolves) had HI titers of less than or equal to 128. Significant differences in the geometric mean titers were not found between pups and adults or between males and females. Of the 47 wolves evaluated, 12 (25%) developed a greater than or equal to fourfold increase in antibody titers during the 11-year period, with 2 wolves developing serologic conversions in 1976. The data indicate that canine parvovirus may have begun infecting wolves before or at the same time that it began infecting the dog population in the United States.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Major histocompatibility complex variation in red wolves: evidence for common ancestry with coyotes and balancing selection.

We examined variation at a class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene (DRB1) in the captive red wolf population and samples of coyotes from Texas and North Carolina. We found 4 alleles in the 48 red wolves, 8 alleles in the 10 coyotes from Texas and 15 alleles in the 29 coyotes from North Carolina. Two of the four alleles found in red wolves, Caru-2 and Caru-4, were found in both the Texas and North Carolina coyote samples. Allele Caru-1, previously found in gray wolves, was also found in the North Carolina sample. The most frequent red wolf allele, Caru-3, was not found in any of the coyote samples. However, an allele found in both the Texas and North Carolina coyote samples is only one nucleotide (one amino acid) different from this red wolf allele. Overall, it appears from examination of this MHC gene that red wolves are more closely related to coyotes than to gray wolves. There were a number of different types of evidence supporting the action of balancing selection in red wolves. Namely, there was: (i) an excess of heterozygotes compared with expectations; (ii) a higher rate of nonsynonymous than synonymous substitution for the functionally important antigen-binding site positions; (iii) an eight times higher average heterozygosity of individual amino acids at the positions identified as part of the antigen-binding site than those not associated with it; (iv) the amino acid divergence of four red wolf alleles was greater than that expected from a simulation of genetic drift; and (v) the distribution of alleles, and the distributions of amino acids at many positions were more even than expected from neutrality. Examination of the level and pattern of linkage disequilibria between pairs of sites suggest that the heterozygosity, substitution and frequencies at individual amino acids are not highly dependent upon each other.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Evidence of genetic distinction and long-term population decline in wolves (Canis lupus) in the Italian Apennines.

Historical information suggests the occurrence of an extensive human-caused contraction in the distribution range of wolves (Canis lupus) during the last few centuries in Europe. Wolves disappeared from the Alps in the 1920s, and thereafter continued to decline in peninsular Italy until the 1970s, when approximately 100 individuals survived, isolated in the central Apennines. In this study we performed a coalescent analysis of multilocus DNA markers to infer patterns and timing of historical population changes in wolves surviving in the Apennines. This population showed a unique mitochondrial DNA control-region haplotype, the absence of private alleles and lower heterozygosity at microsatellite loci, as compared to other wolf populations. Multivariate, clustering and Bayesian assignment procedures consistently assigned all the wolf genotypes sampled in Italy to a single group, supporting their genetic distinction. Bottleneck tests showed evidences of population decline in the Italian wolves, but not in other populations. Results of a Bayesian coalescent model indicate that wolves in Italy underwent a 100- to 1000-fold population contraction over the past 2000-10,000 years. The population decline was stronger and longer in peninsular Italy than elsewhere in Europe, suggesting that wolves have apparently been genetically isolated for thousands of generations south of the Alps. Ice caps covering the Alps at the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 18,000 years before present), and the wide expansion of the Po River, which cut the alluvial plains throughout the Holocene, might have provided effective geographical barriers to wolf dispersal. More recently, the admixture of Alpine and Apennine wolf populations could have been prevented by deforestation, which was already widespread in the fifteenth century in northern Italy. This study suggests that, despite the high potential rates of dispersal and gene flow, local wolf populations may not have mixed for long periods of time.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Ancient Mitogenomes Reveal the Maternal Genetic History of East Asian Gray Wolves (Canis lupus).

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is the only wild ancestor of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and serves a crucial role in understanding the highly controversial issue of dog origins. Recently, ancient DNA studies on gray wolves from different regions of the Eurasian continent have achieved significant breakthroughs, providing important clues about the dog origins. As one of the potential origin areas for dogs, East Asia has seen some research on ancient dogs; however, reports related to gray wolves remain limited. In this study, we sequenced seven new mitogenomes of ancient gray wolves from Northern China, integrating them with 497 ancient and modern canid mitogenomes from published data. Our results reveal the following: (1) East Asian gray wolves have maintained high genetic diversity from ancient times to the present; (2) multiple haplogroup A gray wolves from Northern China support the hypothesis that Northeastern Eurasia is a core region for dog origins; (3) a deep gray wolf lineage in East Asia has been identified in this study; (4) different mitogenomes concentrated at the Jinchankou site indicate that admixture may have frequently occurred in the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. These findings enhance our understanding of the maternal genetic history of gray wolves in East Asia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Detecting introgressive hybridization between free-ranging domestic dogs and wild wolves (Canis lupus) by admixture linkage disequilibrium analysis.

Occasional crossbreeding between free-ranging domestic dogs and wild wolves (Canis lupus) has been detected in some European countries by mitochondrial DNA sequencing and genotyping unlinked microsatellite loci. Maternal and unlinked genomic markers, however, might underestimate the extent of introgressive hybridization, and their impacts on the preservation of wild wolf gene pools. In this study, we genotyped 220 presumed Italian wolves, 85 dogs and 7 known hybrids at 16 microsatellites belonging to four different linkage groups (plus four unlinked microsatellites). Population clustering and individual assignments were performed using a Bayesian procedure implemented in structure 2.1, which models the gametic disequilibrium arising between linked loci during admixtures, aiming to trace hybridization events further back in time and infer the population of origin of chromosomal blocks. Results indicate that (i) linkage disequilibrium was higher in wolves than in dogs; (ii) 11 out of 220 wolves (5.0%) were likely admixed, a proportion that is significantly higher than one admixed genotype in 107 wolves found previously in a study using unlinked markers; (iii) posterior maximum-likelihood estimates of the recombination parameter r revealed that introgression in Italian wolves is not recent, but could have continued for the last 70 (+/- 20) generations, corresponding to approximately 140-210 years. Bayesian clustering showed that, despite some admixture, wolf and dog gene pools remain sharply distinct (the average proportions of membership to wolf and dog clusters were Q(w) = 0.95 and Q(d) = 0.98, respectively), suggesting that hybridization was not frequent, and that introgression in nature is counteracted by behavioural or selective constraints.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Serum biochemistry of captive and free-ranging gray wolves (Canis lupus).

Normal serum biochemistry values are frequently obtained from studies of captive sedentary (zoo) or free-ranging (wild) animals. It is frequently assumed that values obtained from these two populations are directly referable to each other. We tested this assumption using 20 captive gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Minnesota, USA, and 11 free-ranging gray wolves in Alaska, USA. Free-ranging wolves had significantly (P < 0.05) lower sodium, chloride, and creatinine concentrations and significantly higher potassium and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations; BUN to creatinine ratios; and alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase activities relative to captive wolves. Corticosteroid-induced alkaline phosphatase activity (a marker of stress in domestic dogs) was detected in 3 of 11 free-ranging wolves and in 0 of 20 captive wolves (P = 0.037). This study provides clear evidence that serum biochemical differences can exist between captive and free-ranging populations of one species. Accordingly, evaluation of the health status of an animal should incorporate an understanding of the potential confounding effect that nutrition, activity level, and environmental stress could have on the factor(s) being measured.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Physiological response of gray wolves to butorphanol-xylazine immobilization and antagonism by naloxone and yohimbine.

Captive gray wolves (Canis lupus) were immobilized (loss of consciousness) with 2.0 mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride (XYL) and 0.4 mg/kg butorphanol tartrate (BUT) administered intramuscularly. Induction time was 11.8 +/- 0.8 min (mean +/- SE). Immobilization resulted in bradycardia, respiratory depression, and normotension. Fifteen min after induction, six wolves were given either 0.05 mg/kg naloxone hydrochloride (NAL) and 0.125 or 0.250 mg/kg yohimbine hydrochloride (YOH), or an equal volume of saline (control) intravenously. Antagonism resulted in shortened recovery times compared to control animals (P less than 0.03); there was no difference in recovery times between the YOH doses (P greater than 0.05). Antagonism caused increases in heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR), but no changes in MABP. Eight other wolves were similarly immobilized, but given only NAL. This resulted in partial antagonism with the animals appearing to be sedated with XYL only. Three wolves given only 0.4 mg/kg BUT assumed a state described as "apathetic sedation." Three other wolves sedated with only 2.0 mg/kg XYL showed a profound sedation characterized by recumbency, bradycardia and shallow, but regular, respiration. This study demonstrated that (1) BUT and XYL together, but not separately, can completely immobilize wolves, (2) this combination can be rapidly antagonized by NAL and YOH, and (3) there appeared to be no adverse cardiopulmonary reactions to any of the drugs used.

Animals↗