Evaluation of anaesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects after intramuscular administration of alfaxalone alone, alfaxalone‐ketamine and alfaxalone‐butorphanol‐medetomidine in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract Background Anaesthesia is often required in common marmosets undergoing various procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate anaesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of alfaxalone, alfaxalone‐ketamine and alfaxalone‐butorphanol‐medetomidine in common marmosets. Methods The following treatments were repeatedly administered to seven female common marmosets: Treatment A, alfaxalone (12 mg kg‐1) alone; treatment AK, alfaxalone (1 mg animal−1) plus ketamine (2.5 mg animal−1); treatment AMB, alfaxalone (4 mg kg−1), medetomidine (50 µg kg−1) plus butorphanol (0.3 mg kg−1); and treatment AMB‐Ati, AMB with atipamezole at 45 minutes. Results and Conclusions Marmosets became laterally recumbent and unresponsive for approximately 30 minutes in A and AK and for approximately 60 minutes in AMB. The animals showed rapid recovery following atipamezole injection in AMB‐Ati. The decrease in heart rate and SpO2 was significantly greater in AMB compared to A and AK. Oxygen supplementation, anaesthetic monitors and atipamezole should be available especially when AMB is administered.