ABSTRACT:
Feline night monkeys are very susceptible to stress and therefore the physical or chemical restraint should be carefully evaluated before any procedure. Anesthetic protocols can alter some physiological parameters, and electrocardiogram (ECG) is a commonly exam used for evaluation of the rhythm and heart rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four different protocols of restraining on ECG in Aotus azarae infulatus, in order to identify the best method of restraining in these primates. For that, we used 10 adult feline night monkeys, males, submitted to restraining protocols with the association tiletamine and zolazepam - (TZ), isoflurane (ISO), association ketamine and midazolam (CET) and physical restraint (CF). No differences were observed in the parameters wave and ECG complexes obtained in all groups tested; however, during the evaluation of the trace the animals of group CF showed a greater amount of change. It was concluded that the restraint protocols used did not change the values of the ECG, and it was not possible to consider the CF group as control due to more caused alterations than all other tested protocols.
INDEX TERMS:
Restraint protocols; electrocardiogram; feline night monkeys; Aotus azarae infulatus; anesthesia.