Effects of etorphine and succinyldicholine on blood composition in elephant and buffalo

Abstract

Blood composition was investigated in anaesthetized elephant and Buffalo and in elephant immobilized by succinyldicholine. Results obtained indicate that data from undisturbed animals shot in the brain closely approximate the situation in anaesthetized animals, except for blood-gas composition. Cortisol concentrations increase after anaesthetization and then decrease again, suggesting that the procedures involved are experienced to some extent as physiological stress. In the case of animals paralysed by succinyldicholine, Cortisol and blood-gets results suggest that when this substance is used in culling procedures, elephant should be killed by a shot into the brain within 16 min after darting.