Abstract
BackgroundPremedication is rarely used in avian species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of premedication on the quality of sevoflurane induction and anaesthesia in parrots. We hypothesised that premedication would facilitate handling and decrease the minimum anaesthetic dose (MAD). Thirty-six adult parrots were randomly distributed in three groups: group S (n = 12) was premedicated with NaCl 0.9%; group KS (n = 12) was premedicated with 10 mg.kg-1 ketamine; and group KDS (n = 12) was premedicated with 10 mg.kg-1 ketamine and 0.5 mg.kg-1 diazepam, delivered intramuscularly. After induction using 4.5% sevoflurane introduced through a facemask, the MAD was determined for each animal. The heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), and cloacal temperature (CT) were recorded before premedication (T0), 15 minutes after premedication (T1), and after MAD determination (T2). Arterial blood gas analyses were performed at T0 and T2. The quality of anaesthesia was evaluated using subjective scales based on animal behaviour and handling during induction, maintenance, and recovery. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by Tukey’s or Dunn’s tests.ResultsThe minimal anaesthetic doses obtained were 2.4 ± 0.37%, 1.7 ± 0.39%, and 1.3 ± 0.32% for groups S, KS, and KDS, respectively. There were no differences in HR, RR, or CT among groups, but SAP was significantly lower in group S. Sedation was observed in both the premedicated S-KS and S-KDS groups. There were no differences in the quality of intubation and recovery from anaesthesia among the three groups, although the induction time was significantly shorter in the pre-medicated groups, and the KS group showed less muscle relaxation.ConclusionsKetamine alone or the ketamine/diazepam combination decreased the MAD of sevoflurane in parrots (Amazona aestiva). Ketamine alone or in combination with diazepam promoted a good quality of sedation, which improved handling and reduced the stress of the birds. All protocols provided safe anaesthesia in this avian species.
Highlights
Premedication is rarely used in avian species
The minimum anaesthetic dose (MAD) in the group S (2.4 ± 0.37%) was significantly higher than that in the ketamine/sevoflurane group (KS) (1.7 ± 0.39%, P < 0.001) and Animal is undisturbed after sedation, allows manipulation without stress and accepts the mask for the induction of anaesthesia
The use of ketamine, ketamine-diazepam, and sevoflurane proved to be adequate for clinical restraint and anaesthesia in parrots
Summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of premedication on the quality of sevoflurane induction and anaesthesia in parrots. After induction using 4.5% sevoflurane introduced through a facemask, the MAD was determined for each animal. The quality of anaesthesia was evaluated using subjective scales based on animal behaviour and handling during induction, maintenance, and recovery. For the last several years, interest in wildlife conservation has promoted an increase in the number of studies concerning the use of anaesthetics in wild birds and domestic fowl [1]. Research based on the study of wild birds is becoming more and more difficult. The principal problems with the use of anaesthetics in birds are related to physiological, anatomical, and metabolic differences in birds compared with mammals, the lack of studies in this field, and the large spectrum of species that remain to be found
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
