The use of alfaxalone on free ranging African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) premedicated with xylazine produces a stable and short term anaesthesia

Abstract

The African wild pygmy hedgehog has been domesticated and widely used in scientific experiments. Anesthesia of hedgehogs appear to be challenging, commonly associated with peri-anesthetic mortality. Inhalant anaesthetics are the agents of choice while injectable agents are seldom used and there are no reports on the use of alfaxalone. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate two anaesthesia protocols of alfaxalone combined with a fixed dose of xylazine in hedgehog. Two groups consisting of 10 hedgehogs each were used in the study. The first group received 8mg/kg dose while the second group received 12mg/kg dose of alfaxalone with xylazine premedication maintained at 1mg/kg. All drugs were administered intramuscularly. Induction time, duration of anaesthesia and pain reflexes were monitored and recorded. Cardinal Health parameters were recorded just before, and at the 10^th and 20^th minutes post injection of anaesthetics. The two doses (8mg/kg and 12mg/kg) of alfaxalone used showed no differences on the induction time but induced profound anaesthesia that differed significantly (P≤0.05) and lasted for 37±14.72 and 54.4±17.35 minutes respectively with spontaneous and uneventful recovery. The two doses maintained respiration rates within the ranges of pre injection values while significant depression was noted on heart rates and rectal temperatures. The two tested doses of alfaxalone were well tolerated and appear to be safe for induction of short duration anaesthesia in hedgehogs. However, further study involving several doses to evaluate the cardiopulmonary dynamics and temperature regulation effects of the drug in question is recommended.