Sedative and Cardiovascular Effects of Vatinoxan During Medetomidine‐Midazolam‐Ketamine Administration in Japanese Macaques ( Macaca fuscata ) and Rhesus Macaques ( Macaca mulatta )

ABSTRACT Background Combination anesthesia such as medetomidine‐midazolam‐ketamine (MMK) is used in macaques for various research and clinical procedures. However, medetomidine can cause problematic cardiovascular side effects. Vatinoxan, a peripherally acting α 2 ‐antagonist, potentially reduces these side effects and is now available with medetomidine as Zenalpha. Methods This study evaluated a Zenalpha‐midazolam‐ketamine protocol and compared its sedative and cardiovascular effects with the MMK protocol during regular veterinary examination. Results While significant differences in the timeline of anesthesia were not observed between the groups, the heart rates were significantly higher, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and frequency of cardiac valve regurgitation were significantly lower in the ZMK group than in the MMK group. Conclusion ZMK anesthesia provides benefits in terms of cardiovascular stability compared to the conventional MMK protocol in macaques without compromising the sedative effects. Its application may improve anesthesia in Japanese and rhesus macaques.