RESUMO

Background: The Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris), considered the largest land mammal in South America, is a vulnerable species in terms of its degree of conservation. In captivity, its health is evaluated through behavioral and physical observation and laboratory exams, and in some cases, chemical restraint, to reduce stress. Dissociative anesthetics and sedatives are used for the sedation of these animals, and few studies have reported the use of dexmedetomidine and its effects when associated with other drugs in chemical containment protocols; therefore, this work reports its use, in conjunction with ketamine and midazolam, in a young Brazilian tapir. Case: A male Brazilian tapir, male, weighing 89 kg, 1 and a half year old, housed at CETAS in Rio Branco, Acre, was chemically restrained with dexmedetomidine (7 µg/kg), ketamine (1.5 mg/kg), and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) for venous blood collection, oral and rectal mucosal swabs, and microchipping. The protocol was administered intramuscularly to the right triceps brachii, after physical restraint. After 5 min of application, the animal assumed sternal recumbency and presented reflux. After 15 min, the patient was placed in the right lateral decubitus position. During collection, heart rate (48 ± 10 bpm), respiratory frequency (29 ± 1 mpm), rectal temperature (38.1 ± 0.18°C), oxyhemoglobin saturation (97 ± 1%), and electrocardiographic tracing were recorded. The tapir showed deep sedation, immobility, good muscle relaxation, discreet medial palpebral reflex, and bilateral rotation of the eyeball. After 40 min of protocol administration, sedative reversal was performed intramuscularly with 14 µg/kg atipamezole. Five min after administration, the tapir showed signs of mild sedation. After 10 min, he assumed the quadrupedal position, remained in this position for 8 min, and gently resumed the sternal decubitus. After only 20 min, he resumed the quadrupedal position, with mild ataxia and good muscular and conscious tone. After 50 min, the patient was discharged from anesthesia. Discussion: Domestic horses are phylogenetically close to tapirs, so the choice of drugs and doses of the protocol used was based on their use in horses, and on studies carried out with tapirs as well. Despite being docile and passive, the tapir was not conditioned and did not allow the manipulation and collection of samples collaboratively; therefore, it was chemically contained. The physical restraint performed did not generate satisfactory immobilization of the tapir, resulting in agitation and stress and causing the needle to break. The reflux presented by the tapir minutes after sedation and at recovery was induced by dexmedetomidine, and only the undigested banana pieces were offered to the animal. Reflux plus stress from extensive fasting and suboptimal physical restraint was responsible for the change in the tapir's eating behavior, with possible stress gastritis 24 h after chemical restraint. Only one study reported the use of dexmedetomidine in tapirs, associated with continuous infusions of ketamine, midazolam and guaiacol glyceryl ether for moderate to long-term field procedures. Sedative reversal of dexmedetomidine by atipamezole reduced the recovery time and the risk of death from cardiorespiratory depression. The anesthetic combination used was effective, promoting immobility, muscle relaxation, and stability of the physical parameters evaluated, with rapid and gentle induction and an adequate level of sedation for the objective, good sedative reversal, and anesthetic recovery.

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RESUMO

Os Centros de Triagem de Animais Silvestres – CETAS são instituições que têm como função receber animais silvestres oriundos de cativeiros domésticos, apreensões dos órgãos fiscalizadores em operações de combate ao tráfico ou vítimas de acidentes ambientais, sendo 90,9% das unidades de responsabilidade do IBAMA e 9,1% de empresas privadas. O trabalho teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das espécies de animais silvestres recebidos no CETAS de Rio Branco – Acre nos anos de 2010 a2014, avaliando suas implicações conservacionistas. Durante esse período foram apreendidos 1.097aves (47,2%), 720 répteis (31,0%), 498 mamíferos (21,4%) e cinco peixes (0,2%), totalizando 2.320animais recepcionados, dentre eles, 0,6% estão presentes na lista de animais vulneráveis e ameaçados de extinção. A despeito das fiscalizações realizadas pelo IBAMA e policiamento ambiental, animais com risco de extinção continuam sendo retirados da natureza de forma predatória, sendo as aves as mais apreciadas que os demais grupos, considerando o número de animais recebidos pelo CETAS.

The Wild Animal Sorting Centers – CETAS are institutions responsible for receiving wild animals. They animals were rescued from domestic captivity, from seizures during inspections by government agents inactions against illegal trafficking, and from environment accidents. The majority (90.9%) are controlled by IBAMA and only 9.1% by the private sector. This worked aims at doing a survey of the species of wild animals received by the CETAS in Rio Branco – Acre from 2010 to 2014, and evaluating the conservation is timplications involved. During that time span 2,320 animals were received, comprising 1,097 birds (47.2%),720 reptiles (31.0%), 498 mammals (21.4%) and 5 fish (0.2%). From the animals rescued, 0.6% belongto the list of species threatened with extinction. Despite the inspections carried out by IBAMA and by the environment police, threatened species continue to be predatorily taken out from their habitats, especially birds, which are the most attacked group, considering the number of animals received for CETAS.

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