Field immobilization of Molina's Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus chinga) Using Ketamine and Xylazine

Abstract

We injected 27 adult Molina’s hognosed skunks (Conepatus chinga) intramuscularly by hand with ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and xylazine hydrochloride (XH) in the Pampas grassland of Argentina. Skunks were immobilized with a mean (6SD) dosage of 24.966.5 mg/kg KH and 1.960.6 mg/kg XH. The mean effective dosages of KH (27.6 mg/kg) and XH (1.7 mg/kg) were higher and lower, respectively, than those reported in skunks previously. Mean induction and recovery time were 5.361.9 min and 47.7618.5 min, respectively. Hypothermia was the only problem detected in field immobilization and occurred in winter but did not appear to be associated with to drug doses. We conclude that KH/XH is a safe immobilizing drug combination for Molina’s hog-nosed skunk.