Clinical evaluation of the intranasal administration of midazolam and reverse effects of flumazenil in Eurasian Buzzards (Buteo buteo)

Abstract

Midazolam, the most commonly used drug in birds, has sedative, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, amnestic, and appetite-enhancing effects. In this study, we aimed to reach the proper sedation level with intranasal (IN) administration of midazolam, and quick and safe recovery with intranasal flumazenil application after a certain period of time. The buzzards in the experiment reached the desired and controllable sedation at 6.7 ± 1.6 min after administration of IN midazolam at a dose of 2 mg / kg of body weight. In the saline group (%0.9 NaCl), the doses of midazolam and flumazenil calculated according to their weight were administered intranasally as 0.9% NaCl. The heart rate was 290.4 ± 17.81 and 294.8 ± 18.19 beats/min in the midazolam group, and 300.8 ± 17.76 beats/min in the saline group. Cloacal temperature was 41.42 ± 07, 41.39 ± 0.85 °C in the midazolam group and 41.6 ± 0.45 °C in the saline group. The respiratory rate was 48.8 ± 4.5, 47.1 ± 4.3 breaths/min in the midazolam group and 54.6 ± 2.7 breaths/min in the saline group. Flumazenil was used as an antagonist at 0.05 mg/kg intranasally, and after 14.1 ± 1.8 minutes the sedation effect disappeared. Then the buzzards returned to their standard behavior. In conclusion, we suggest IN use of midazolam and use of flumazenil for faster recovery in buzzards as a simple, fast, practical, and economical mode of sedation for minimally invasive procedures.