A 5-yr-old captive-born reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was tranquilized with i.m.xylazine 34 times in a 39-day period to allow nursing by her calf. Xylazine administered 0.16mg/kg im. provided adequate sedation of the dam without detrimental side effects to the dam or the calf. While the dam was sedated, the calf was able to ingest adequate amounts of milk to produce acceptable weight gains until he was consistently eating solid foods.
Keywords: Giraffe, Tranquilization, Xylazine, Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
Authors: Martha T. Fischer, B.S., R. Eric Miller, D.V.M., and E. William Houston, B.S
Journal: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine