Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Introduction
The kinkajou( Potos flavus) is part of the Procyonidae family. They are technically classed as carnivores, due to their canine teeth [ 1 ], but are omnivorous by nature, with their diets consisting mostly of fruit and nectar. On occasion they will eat eggs, hatchlings, insects and small invertebrates [ 2 ].
Kinkajous are found in tropical environments and thrive in the canopy of rainforests throughout Central and South America. Their long, prehensile tail and slender body make them extremely agile and well suited to their arboreal lifestyle [ 3 ]. Although many of their features are like those of primates, kinkajous are related to raccoons [ 4 ]. They are nocturnal animals with large, round eyes that are specially adapted for night vision, enabling them to forage for food after dark [ 3 ].
The average lifespan of kinkajous in the wild is up to 25 years; however, for kinkajous in captivity, lifespans of up to 40 years have been recorded. Females are generally smaller, with their bodyweight ranging from 1.4 kg to 3.6 kg, while males weigh 1.8 – 4.5 kg. Most of the time they are solitary, but they have been observed in small groups while foraging and during their mating season [ 5 ].
Patient signalment
Family Species Sex Age Weight
Admission
Procyonidae Potos flavus Female, entire 7 years 2.53 kg
It is recommended that captive kinkajous be fasted for 10 – 24 hours prior to anaesthesia, to reduce the risk of vomiting and aspiration.
Anaesthesia
Inhalational anaesthesia can be used alone; sevoflurane is less irritating to the airways and provides a smoother induction and recovery than isoflurane [ 8 ]. However, chemical restraint is another option. A combination of tiletamine and zolazepam( Telazo, Zoetis), at a dose of 6.6 mg / kg given intramuscularly, gives good immobilisation, sedation and muscle relaxation.
Medetomidine should be used with caution, as it has been reported to result in variable but significant cardiopulmonary depressive effects, hypertension and initial hyperthermia in some wild and domestic carnivores [ 8 ]. Successful use of a combination of ketamine( 2.5 mg / kg), xylazine( 1 mg / kg) and midazolam( 0.5 mg / kg) has also been reported.
A combination of injectable and inhalational anaesthesia should be used for longer, more invasive procedures [ 8 ], with an intravenous catheter placed in the cephalic vein.
As the patient was already contained on arrival to the practice and she was having a non-invasive procedure, it was decided to use a modified secure anaesthetic chamber and induce anaesthesia with sevoflurane delivered in oxygen.
Once anaesthetised, the patient was placed on a mask connected to a T-piece circuit to ensure she was at an adequate depth of anaesthesia for intubation.
A laryngopharyngeal local anaesthetic spray( Intubeaze, Dechra) was applied; she was then intubated with a size 3.0 endotracheal tube( Figure 1) and was maintained on sevoflurane throughout the procedure.
The patient had been vomiting and inappetent for 2 days and was admitted for investigations.
Extreme caution should be taken when handling and restraining this species as they can give a nasty bite when threatened. Manual restraint cannot always be adequately and safely used for procedures such as blood sampling and physical examination. It is recommended to use a net or snare pole method for capture [ 6 ].
It is important to note that the caregivers of some zoological collections of kinkajous have had success in training them to voluntarily accept restraint for injections, using food or physical contact as motivation [ 7 ]. However, the extent to which this is possible will vary with the training, socialisation and personality of each individual. In this case, the patient was already contained on arrival to the practice.
Figure 1. The patient was maintained on sevoflurane and oxygen.
Volume 41( 1) • February 2026
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