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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Physiological parameter changes during field anaesthesia of bandicoots
Australian veterinary journal, Vol.103(8), pp.506-517
2025
PMID: 40603111
Appears in Open Access via Read & Publish Agreements
Abstract
Introduction
Physiological responses to anaesthesia are described for the first time in eastern barred bandicoot (EBB; Perameles gunnii) and southern brown bandicoot (SBB; Isoodon obesulus).
Method
Two hundred and six field anaesthetics were carried out on free-ranging bandicoots (82 EBB and 66 SBB) in North West Tasmania. Animals were induced and maintained under general anaesthesia using isoflurane administered via a face mask.
Results
On average, animals required 3% isoflurane for anaesthesia maintenance and recovered within 2–3 min of isoflurane being discontinued. SBB had higher respiratory rates than EBB. Otherwise, we found no significant differences in anaesthetic parameters between the bandicoot species, between sexes or for females with pouch young. Hypothermia was the only anaesthetic-associated adverse event during this study, occurring in 26 anaesthetics (12.6%). At the start of anaesthesia, bandicoots had a mean body temperature of 35.0°C (SEM 0.8, SD 1.2), and 95% of animals lost temperature during anaesthesia. Bandicoots with an initial body temperature of less than 34.5°C had 20 times greater risk (odds ratio 20.52, 95% CI 5.58–77.19) of developing hypothermia (defined as Tb < 33°C). Heart rates ranged from 100 to >300 beats per minute, and respiratory rates ranged from 8 to 64 breaths per minute. Data support a heart rate reference interval of 140–285 (mean 208, SD 42.72) and a respiratory rate interval of 10–34 for SBB (mean 21, SD 8.89) and 8–20 for EBB (mean 12, SD 4.72) during maintenance of inhalant anaesthesia.
Conclusions
With hypothermia the only anaesthesia-related adverse event during this study, results support the safety of this form of chemical restraint in the field and provide empirical data that may be used to guide anaesthesia for bandicoots. Results suggest that standard inhalational anaesthetic protocols are suitable for bandicoots irrespective of weight, sex and reproductive status.
Details
- Title
- Physiological parameter changes during field anaesthesia of bandicoots
- Authors/Creators
- A F Bullen - UVC Wild, Ulverstone Veterinary Clinic, Ulverstone, Tasmania, AustraliaJ W Macgregor - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityB Corbin - UVC Wild, Ulverstone Veterinary Clinic, Ulverstone, Tasmania, AustraliaK Warren - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Publication Details
- Australian veterinary journal, Vol.103(8), pp.506-517
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association.
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991005792772807891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability; School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.43 Anesthesiology
- 1.43.1642 Veterinary Anesthesia
- Web Of Science research areas
- Veterinary Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science