Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42126025›Full record

ArticleThe Veterinary record2026

Field immobilisation of adult Weddell seals using intramuscular butorphanol and midazolam.

Rachel R Holser, Rachel P Hickcox, Daniel P Costa, Thomas Hildebrand, Sarah P Flanagan, Michelle A LaRue

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Veterinary record, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Rachel R HolserInstitute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8668-3839
Rachel P HickcoxSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2982-4244
Daniel P CostaInstitute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0233-5782
Thomas HildebrandSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Sarah P FlanaganSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2226-4213
Michelle A LaRueSchool of Earth and Environment, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3886-6059

Funding

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services NA21NOS12009Division of Antarctic Sciences 2042032New Zealand Antarctic Science PlatformRoyal Society NZ Rutherford Discovery FellowshipStrategic Environmental Research and Development Program RC20-1284
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWhen working with free-ranging phocid seals, methods of chemical immobilisation require ongoing refinement to reduce complications, particularly apnoea, during research procedures.

methodsAdult Weddell seals (n = 20) at Cape Crozier, Antarctica, were chemically immobilised with intramuscular injection of butorphanol and midazolam in 2024 and 2025.

resultsButorphanol and midazolam were administered intramuscularly at 0.16 ± 0.03 and 0.19 ± 0.03 mg/kg, respectively. No apnoea lasting more than 2 minutes was observed, nor were any other adverse effects. LIMITATIONS: The sample was limited to 20 adults, predominantly mid-lactation females (n = 14). Additional data on other demographic groups, varying the dose combination, more detailed records of seal vital signs, and additional physiological measurements (e.g., blood gases) would provide valuable insight into this drug combination for Weddell seals.

conclusionIn this limited study, intramuscular butorphanol and midazolam were a safe and effective combination for field immobilisation of adult Weddell seals.

Indexed as

ButorphanolHypnotics and SedativesImmobilizationMidazolamSeals, EarlessAnalgesics, OpioidAnimalsAntarctic RegionsFemaleInjections, IntramuscularMaleAnalgesics, OpioidButorphanolHypnotics and SedativesMidazolam

Identifiers

PMID42126025
PMCPMC13425668

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.