Immobilization of Southern Elephant Seals with Succinylcholine Chloride

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Succinylcholine chloride administered to 114 southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) by means of an extension syringe immobilized 95 seals, with 19 failures or only partial paralysis. Seals up to 4 m in length and weighing approximately 1,900 kg were immobilized. A working dose rate of 2.5 mg/kg body weight is recommended; dose rates above 3.0 mg/kg could be fatal, but one seal survived a dose rate of 5.0 mg/kg. The syringe, methods of injection, handling procedure after immobilization, and the calculation of dose rates are described. Muscle paralysis follows a definite sequence and culminates in total collapse with or without ensuing apnoea. Recovery proceeds in the reverse order.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: