Anaesthetic management for a dental procedure in an adult female Bennett's wallaby ( Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus ) carrying a joey in a pouch

Abstract

A 14‐month‐old, 8‐kg female Bennett's wallaby ( Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus ) carrying a joey in a pouch was presented to the clinic for dental treatment. Caretakers were asked to assist with the restraint. To reduce stress and the risk of capture myopathy, 0.4 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.625 mg/kg midazolam were injected intramuscularly before further treatment began. This combination provided good sedation and was followed by uneventful mask induction with isoflurane delivered in oxygen. Intubation was difficult but feasible using a narrow laryngoscope and an endotracheal tube introducer stylet. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. After extubation, 10 µg/kg flumazenil was administered intramuscularly. It successfully reversed the sedation caused by midazolam. Postoperative analgesia was provided with 20 µg/kg buprenorphine and 0.25 mg/kg meloxicam. In the following days, the wallaby showed no signs of discomfort. Further development of the joey was uneventful.