Medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam combinations for immobilization of fallow deer (Cervus dama).

Eleven adult fallow deer (Cervus dama) were anesthetized using a mixture of xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam, and 10 were anesthetized with a mixture of medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam. Anesthesia was adequate for capture in all instances, and minor surgical procedures were possible in seven of the animals treated with xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam and in all of the animals treated with medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam. Blood gas, hematologic, serum biochemical, and cardiorespiratory parameters were measured during all immobilizations. The deer immobilized with xylazine/tiletamine/zolazepam had significantly higher lactate and cortisol values than the deer immobilized with the medetomidine combination. Although both methods were adequate for fallow deer, the medetomidine/tiletamine/zolazepam combination produced superior results.