These documents have been prepared by the EEHV Advisory/Working Groups and/or zoos that are listed as the authors. The opinions expressed in these documents are the author’s own and may not always reflect those expressed by other EEHV Advisory/Working Groups or zoos. Clinicians/zoos should make their own decisions based on their knowledge of the individual cases and use these guidelines at their own discretion.
Sedation for Facilitation for EEHV Treatment, Updated August 2025
A primary focus on early behavioral training of calves is essential for successful monitoring and treatment of EEHV. Reliable core behaviors (blood collection, rectal fluid administration, separation, and placement of leg tethers) are the foundation of EEHV preparedness, surveillance, and response. However, calves experiencing EEHV HD require aggressive therapy which is best administered under sedation. Sedation reduces the stress of treatment, especially of the individual willingly participates through solid training, and can provide a level of analgesia.
Staff should not be afraid to sedate a calf for treatment but must be prepared with the proper tools and support staff to be successful. The following drug doses have been used successfully for standing sedation in elephant calves. Sedation protocols should be included in the institutional EEHV preparedness plan including contingency plans in the event of anesthetic complications. Anesthetic dosing and drug administration must be under the direction of an experienced veterinarian. Reversal agents may be administered to hasten recovery from sedation; however, consideration must be given to the need for repeated sedation events as well as reversal of analgesic properties. It is not always necessary, or advised, to reverse the sedatives unless complications arise. These are dosage guidelines recommended by the EEHV Advisory Group based on many years of experience and published data. Attending veterinarians must make medical management decisions based on sound clinical judgement.
Asian Elephant Calf Standing Sedation (ZIMS 2025)
- Butorphanol 0.044 mg/kg (0.016-0.07 mg/kg) IM
- Detomidine 0.02 mg/kg (0.01-0.031 mg/kg) IM
African Elephant Calf Standing Sedation (ZIMS 2025)
- Butorphanol 0.02 mg/kg (0.009-0.05 mg/kg) IM
- Detomidine 0.014 mg/kg (0.008-0.025 mg/kg) IM
In some instances, it may be necessary to provide light sedation (lower end of dose) or standing sedation (higher end of dose) to the dam or other herd mates to facilitate safe administration of therapy to a calf with EEHV HD. Reversal agents may be administered to facilitate reintroduction to the calf but is generally not necessary. The following are recommended dosages based on years of experience and published data.
Asian Elephant
- Butorphanol 0.02 mg/kg (0.006-0.07 mg/kg) IM
- Detomidine 0.016 mg/kg (0.006-0.031 mg/kg) IM
African Elephant
- Butorphanol 0.018 mg/kg (0.009-0.023 mg/kg) IM
- Detomidine 0.016 mg/kg (0.009-0.022 mg/kg) IM
Reversal agents
Atipamezole 5 times detomidine dose
Naltrexone 2.5-5 times butorphanol dose
References
Zuba JR, and Mama KR. Elephants. In: West G, Heard D, Caulkett, N (eds.) Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization 3rd edition. Hoboken *NJ): Wiley; 2025. P. 925-964.
ZIMS Anesthesia Summaries for African Elephant (Loxodonta africana). (2025, Aug 07). Species360 Zoological Information Management System. Retrieved from http://zims.species360.org.
Filters: Weight range 500-3000 kg; Weight range 5000-7000 kg
ZIMS Anesthesia Summaries for Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). (2025, Aug 07). Species360 Zoological Information Management System. Retrieved from http://zims.species360.org.
Filters: Weight range 300-1500 kg; Weight range 3000-6000 kg
