T.V. Kozhevnikova1, S.V. Gushchina2, M.A. Akimova3, D.S. Vaganova4, M.N. Makarova5, D.Yu. Akimov6

1–6 Research and manufacturing company «Home оf Pharmacy» (Leningrad region, Vsevolozhsky district, Kuzmolovsky settlement, Russia)

6 FSBSI Institute of Experimental Medicine (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)

1 kozhevnikova.tv@doclinika.ru, 2 guschina.sv@doclinika.ru, 3 akimova.ma@doclinika.ru, 4 vaganova.ds@doclinika.ru, 5 makarova.mn@doclinika.ru, 6 akimov.du@doclinika.ru

Ferrets are popular laboratory and domestic animals; however, their anesthetic management remains a challenging task in veterinary practice. The species-specific characteristics of ferrets – a high metabolic rate, a tendency toward hypothermia, bradycardia, and respiratory center depression – require a special approach when selecting drugs for sedation and general anesthesia. In routine practice, various regimens are used: dissociative anesthetics (tiletamine-zolazepam), alpha2-adrenergic agonists (medetomidine) as monotherapy, as well as their combinations. However, there is a lack of systematic research comparing the effects of these regimens on key physiological parameters in ferrets: heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. The absence of clear data on the advantages and risks of each protocol makes it difficult to choose safe and effective anesthesia in clinical and experimental practice.

The aim of this work is a comparative study of the effects of tiletamine-zolazepam, medetomidine as monotherapy, and their combination on the main physiological parameters in ferrets to determine the optimal anesthesia protocol.

The combination of tiletamine-zolazepam and medetomidine was administered intramuscularly. When assessing the respiratory rate, it was found that the use of medetomidine (M) and tiletamine-zolazepam (T-Z) as monotherapy causes a statistically significant decrease in respiratory rate by 30–40% compared to the indicators of animals without anesthesia. At the same time, the respiratory rate indicators in the group with the combined use of tiletamine-zolazepam and medetomidine were not statistically different from those in the control group without anesthesia. Medetomidine monotherapy causes pronounced bradycardia (a decrease in heart rate by 35-40%), while respiration is moderately depressed.

The combined protocol (tiletamine-zolazepam + medetomidine) allowed for a reduction in the dosage of each drug. This led to a synergy of action: deep and manageable anesthesia was achieved with less pronounced side effects. Bradycardia was less pronounced than with medetomidine monotherapy, and respiratory depression was weaker than with tiletamine-zolazepam monotherapy.

No statistically significant differences in oxygen saturation levels were found between the groups. For the purposes of cardiac monitoring, protocols with medetomidine (as monotherapy or in combination with tiletamine-zolazepam) are preferable, as they cause the least ECG deviations from indicators without anesthesia.

Thus, the combined protocol is preferable for routine manipulations in ferrets, providing a balance between adequate sedation, hemodynamic stability, and the preservation of spontaneous breathing.

Kozhevnikova T.V., Gushchina S.V., Akimova M.A., Vaganova D.S., Makarova M.N., Akimov D.Yu. Effect of tiletamine, zolazepam, and medetomidine in mono- and combination mode on the physiological parameters of ferrets. Technologies of Living Systems. 2026.
V. 23. № 3. Р. 90-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700997-202603-09 (In Russian).

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