Abstract

This study assessed whether arterial oxygenation could be increased by treatment with intranasal oxygen supplementation in brown bears (Ursus arctos) with hypoxemia during anesthesia with medetomidine-zolazepam-tiletamine. Arterial blood samples were collected anaerobically from the femoral artery before and during oxygen supplementation. An oxygen flow rate of 2-5 L/min administered intranasally to brown bears weighing 12-120 kg markedly increased arterial oxygenation. Intranasal oxygen supplementation proved to be a simple and efficient method for treatment of hypoxemia in anesthetized bears.

Keywords

Arterial blood gases; brown bear; hypoxemia; immobilization; oxygen supplementation; Ursus arctos

Published in

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
2010, Volume: 41, number: 1, pages: 161-164
Publisher: AMER ASSOC ZOO VETERINARIANS

SLU Authors

• Fahlman, Åsa

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Veterinary Institute (SVA)

• Pringle, John

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Arnemo, Jon

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Hedmark University College

• Nyman, Görel

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Veterinary Science
Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1638/2009-0036.1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/59482