Effects of alprazolam on capture stress-related serum cortisol responses in Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis)

• Published in: Journal of veterinary science (Suwŏn-si, Korea) Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 103 - 105
• Main Authors: Kim, S.A., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Lee, S.Y., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kimura, Junpei, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Shin, N.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한수의학회 01.03.2011; The Korean Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: alprazolam; Alprazolam - therapeutic use; Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents - therapeutic use; Anxiety - drug therapy; capture stress; Case Report; GLUCOCORTICOIDE; GLUCOCORTICOIDES; GLUCOCORTICOIDS; Hydrocortisone - blood; Korean raccoon dog; Nyctereutes procyonoide koreensis; Raccoon Dogs; Republic of Korea; Restraint, Physical - veterinary; 수의학; Republic of Korea; Korean raccoon dog; alprazolam; cortisol; Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis; capture stress
• ISSN: 1229-845X; 1976-555X
• DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2011.12.1.103

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of alprazolam on the stress that Korean raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) may experience while caught in a live trap by measuring their serum cortisol response. The animals were placed in a live trap with or without being pretreated with oral doses of alprazolam. In both groups, pre-trap blood samples were initially collected without anesthesia before the animals were positioned in the live trap; then post-trap blood samples were collected after the animals had remained in the live trap for 2 h. Changes in cortisol levels were observed using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The level of cortisol increased in the control group and decreased in the alprazolam-pretreatment group (p less than 0.05). In this study, we demonstrated that alprazolam pretreatment reduced stress during live trap capture.