Field sedation of coyotes, red foxes, and raccoons with medetomidine and atipamezole

We chemically restrained free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) using medetomidine antagonized by atipamezole. All coyotes and 80% of red foxes were sedated with mean +/- standard deviation doses of 0.12 +/- 0.02 mg/kg and 0.14 +/- 0.02 mg/kg medetomidine, respectively. Seventy-seven percent of raccoons were sedated with 0.21 +/- 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine. In all species we observed occasional movement, muscle rigidity, and partial-arousal during sedation. Animals were alert within 4.3-8.6 +/- 3.5-8.4 min following atipamezole at 0.4 mg/kg. Medetomidine and atipamezole provided safe handling in most animals and rapid recovery without use of a controlled substance. At these close's, biologists in the field should be prepared to administer a supplementary dose of medetomidine to some animals depending on ambient conditions and the objectives of the restraint event.