First Record on Body Morphometrics and Chemical
Immobilization of Wolves from Pakistan
Ghulam Sarwar1*, Abdul Majid Khan1,
Fakhar I Abbas2, Muhammad Tahir Waseem1 and
Lauren Mae Hennelly3
1Institute
of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore (54590), Pakistan
2Bioresource
Research Centre, Al Rehman Villas, Bahria Enclave Road, Islamabad,
Pakistan
3Mammalian
Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory,
School of Veterinary Medicine, 1-Shields Avenue, University of
California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
*Corresponding author:
ghmujtaba2017@gmail.com; majid.zool@pu.edu.pk
Abstract
The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a less
studied wide-ranging endangered carnivore in Pakistan. The current investigation
is the first to report their body morphometrics and chemical immobilization in
Pakistan. Body morphometrics was examined for 12 wolves by measuring 15
variables. The majority of the 12 wolves had body weights that were more similar
or slightly higher than the weights of Indian wolves from Central India.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the wolves from the southern
lowland region have differing morphology, independent of body size compared to
the wolves from other regions of Pakistan. To record the body morphometrics,
wolves were immobilized using Zoletil™-50 (Z) (n=6) and Xylazine-Ketamine
hydrochloride (X-K) combination (n=3). The wolves were immobilized by using drug
doses 5-6 mg/kg for Z, and 1.25 mg/kg for X and 2-3 mg/kg for K. The first sign
(minutes) of anesthesia was noted after 3.15±1.9 for Z and 4.97±2.3 for X-K
combination. The recumbency time was 7.7±2.5 for Z and 11.7±3 for X-K
combination. The sign of recovery was recorded at 40.4±13.5 for Z and 34.1±2.4
for X-K combination, while the sedation duration was recorded at 45.3±12.5 for Z
and 39.6±3.5 for X-K combination. These results suggest that Z induced quicker
induction, more profound recumbency and swifter recovery than X-K combination.
Additionally, physiological parameters including rectal temperature,
respiration, heart rate and palpebral and capillary reflexes with both
combinations remained within the safe ranges.
To Cite This Article:Sarwar G, Khan AM, Abbas FI, Waseem MT and
Hennelly LM, 2021. First record on body morphometrics and chemical
immobilization of wolves from Pakistan. Pak Vet J, 41(4): 499-506. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2021.054