Effects of azaperone and haloperidol on the stress response of drive-net captured Iberian ibexes ()

Gregorio Mentaberre (1) , Jorge Ramón López-Olvera (1) , Encarnación Casas-Díaz (1) , Laura Fernández-Sirera (1) , Ignasi Marco (1) , Santiago Lavín (1)

1 Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge, Facultat de Veterinària

The physical capture of wild ungulates is performed for different purposes when anesthesia in field conditions is not possible or advisable. The use of tranquilizers may contribute to improved welfare of captured animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of azaperone and haloperidol on the stress response of Iberian ibex () through the evaluation of physiological, hematological, and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty-five Iberian ibexes were drive-net captured and randomly injected with azaperone (0.52 ± 0.07 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM);  = 10), haloperidol (0.17 ± 0.04 mg/kg IM;  = 10), or saline (0.5 mL IM;  = 15) and physically restrained for 3 h. The variability of heart rate was lower in the azaperone-treated ibexes, suggesting a calming effect, and erythrocyte and biochemical parameters indicated vasodilation, splenic sequestration, hemodilution, improvement of renal perfusion, and a protective effect on muscle as a result of smooth muscle relaxation induced by azaperone. Haloperidol showed poorer results, maybe due to insufficient dosage. These results support the suitability of using azaperone in capture operations of Iberian ibex in order to reduce stress and prevent its adverse effects.

Mots clés: Iberian ibex; Haloperidol; Azaperone; Drive-net capture; Acute stress

Gregorio Mentaberre, Jorge Ramón López-Olvera, Encarnación Casas-Díaz, Laura Fernández-Sirera, Ignasi Marco, et al.. Effects of azaperone and haloperidol on the stress response of drive-net captured Iberian ibexes (). European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2010, 56 (5), pp.757-764. ⟨10.1007/s10344-010-0371-3⟩. ⟨hal-00581870⟩