The chemical immobilization of wildlife species is a form of veterinary anesthesia conducted under difficult circumstances.1 Anesthesia plays an important role in wildlife veterinary medicine, since the majority of the procedures carried out involve chemical restraint techniques.1 Veterinarians in wildlife medicine must administer anesthetic drugs effectively, using varied delivery systems. There are different approaches to administering drugs in chemical restraint procedures: oral, hand-held injection, pole syringe and darts. In cooperative animals, hand-held injections or the pole-syringed administration are usually the delivery routes of choice.

The ideal immobilization drug formulations for wild and exotic animals will have a wide safety margin, small volume for delivery, and is fully reversible; thus, a small volume will facilitate rapid administration especially if remote delivery systems are used.1,2 The refinement of drug formulations has been a dedicated concern of wildlife managers and veterinarians over the last several decades, and the premixed formulas available today are far superior to the on-the-fly drugs and formulations used in years past. Many formulations are also available with their ideal reversal agents, an indispensible component in the field. 

The MK Kit

The MK Kit by NexGen Pharmaceuticals is a premixed formulation developed to provide veterinarians and wildlife handlers with a field-tested immobilization anesthesia option that can be effectively used to immobilize a broad range of exotic animal species. Medetomidine (5mg/ml) provides superior pain relief and muscle relaxation to other compounds employing α-2 adrenergic agonists, with Ketamine HCL (150 mg/ml) supplying an effective paralytic. In combination, the two provide safe, smooth induction times and excellent recovery results. Atipamezole, a synthetic α2-adrenergic antagonist, is provided in the MK Kit as a reversal agent. 

Delivery and Recommendations

For those who are new to utilizing MK to manage their exotic animals, it is important to understand the level of anesthesia administered with Medetomidine/Ketamine sedation. MK is a deep sedation, not to be confused with other sedations that are moderate.

The preferred route for the administration of an immobilizing drug by remote delivery is via intramuscular injection. The aim is to hit the animal in a specifically-selected site, causing injection into vascular tissue and facilitating rapid absorption of the drug. Not all areas of an animal's body are equally well-suited for injection by remote delivery; thus, the injection site should be carefully chosen.

The neck is generally a suitable site for large animals with muscular necks. Care should be taken to avoid hitting the jugular vein, the upper neck and the head. The ideal injection site is the trapezius muscle mass at the upper base of the neck. This injection site is suitable for species such as elk, moose, buffalo, bear, the equids and larger antelopes, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and elephant (if the ears can be avoided). Animals with slender necks, such as gazelle, gerenuk, giraffe and impala should not be darted in this area.

The shoulder is a suitable injection site in many larger species. This region is well-muscled, presenting a flat, perpendicular target. It is surrounded by relatively resilient areas and presents a fair-sized target in animals that are robust enough to be darted with remote delivery equipment.

To prevent the needle from becoming embedded in cartilage, the upper end of the scapula should be avoided. In sensitive species, the sight and smell of a dart in the shoulder may cause panic and flight. Some carnivores will destroy the dart by pulling it out with their teeth. The shoulder is not a suitable injection site for smaller species, due to their lesser size and limited muscle mass.

Where to buy the MK Kit

The MK Kit is available through NexGen Pharmaceuticals. Please consult your veterinarian prior to beginning any treatment regimen.

NOTE: This product is listed as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule CIII Controlled Substance.

FOR RX ONLY: A valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required for dispensing this medication.

1West, G., et. al. Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., July 2014.

2Arnemo, Jon & Kreeger, Terry. (2018). Handbook of Wildlife Chemical Immobilization, 5th Ed.

3Nielsen, L. Chemical immobilization of wild and exotic animals, Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1999.