Blood constituent responses of animals culled with succinyldicholine and hexamethonium
Hattingh, J.; Pitts, N.I.; Ganhao, M.F.; Moyes, D.G.; de Vos, V.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 61(3): 117-118
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 1019-9128 PMID: 2286997 Document Number: 362551
Blood constituent responses of elephants and buffaloes culled in the Kruger National Park, using a mixture of succinyldicholine and hexamethonium, were compared to those of animals culled with succinyldicholine only. The results show a decreased physiological response in the animals culled with the mixture, characterised by lower total catecholamine, cortisol and glucose concentrations. Neither a delay of up to 30 min in obtaining blood samples from culled animals, nor a delay of up to 30 min in processing samples obtained immediately after cessation of respiration, gave any significant difference in the blood constituents which were measured.