Chuma, [08 Nov 2023 at 10:01:44]: Colleagues. With low opioid and high alpha-2 combinations, how low and high one can go with a black rhino and a giraffe?? HO Reuter, [08 Nov 2023 at 11:08:37]: I have no experience with low opioid, medetomidine in black rhino. In giraffe I have had good results using Thianil 1.5-2 mg and medetomidine 3-5 mg in young giraffe (I use 1/4 opioid compared to previous protocols per giraffe and 2 x opioid dose medetomidine. (I know some colleagues go lower on opioid and higher on medetomidine). Breathing once down is generally a lot better initially than with high opioid doses. I have had a few that run quite far and long after darting, and also some that are still a bit wobbly on their feet after reversal, and also seen renarcotisation after a while in the truck in one occasion, where we off-loaded and reversed with another dose. If I work with a good, experienced ground team and from a helicopter, I often still prefer using high opioid dose with Hyalase for giraffe translocations. For treatment and release, or darting in suitable terrain from vehicle, I usually use the low opioid with medetomidine (and Hyalase), esp. if not using an experienced roping team. It’s nice to have the various options for different scenarios. Hendrik Hansen, [08 Nov 2023 at 11:10:50]: For adult cows Thianil 1-2 mg + medetomidine 12-18 mg Henry Labuschagne, [08 Nov 2023 at 11:14:42]: Black rhino cow? Louis Greeff, [09 Nov 2023 at 11:35:50]: Black rhino cow: 1.5 mg Thianil + 6 mg medetomidine + 15 mg midazolam They usually walk like white rhino when prodded. Otherwise give 15 mg butorphanol and they walk.
