Effects of physical and chemical restrain methods on the stress indicator parameters in collared peccaries (“Tayassu tajacu”)

Abstract

This experiment aimed to study the influence of the physical and chemical methods of restraint on the stress indicator parameters in collared peccaries. Ten three-years-old collared peccaries, all male, weighing 20kg and raised in Brazilian semiarid, were used. The captures were made weekly, during 35 days, between 5 and 7 a.m., and at the same time as clinical exams and blood samples taken to do biochemical and hematological analysis. The animals were divided in two experimental groups: five animals were restrained chemically using intramuscular administration with the association among xylazine (2,3 mg/kg), ketamine (1,16 mg/kg) and diazepam (0,5 mg/kg), and, five were restrained physically using hand nets. The highest values of cardiac and respiratory frequencies and rectal temperature were noticed in the animals of physical restrain group. A significant increase in the values of hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte number, leukocytes and serum levels of cortisol, creatine kinase, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase were also noticed in the animals of physical restrain group. Chemical tranquilization in collared peccaries has reduced stress indicator parameters and has facilitated the animals management.