Improvement of Clinical Anesthetic Techniques in Japanese Wild Birds

Abstract

This study aimed to set a practical indication of avian anesthesia in clinical situation. First, in an experimental study using three domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), all birds were induced anesthesia with isoflurane alone; with atropine (0.05 mg/kg) and isoflurane; and with injectable anesthetics alone: atropine (0.05 mg/kg), diazepam (2.0 mg/kg), and ketamine (50 mg/kg). Intubation of an endotracheal tube was followed and the minimal anesthetic concentration (MAC) of isoflurane was determined in each procedure. We confirmed the following key facts: (1) intubation is useful for an appropriate respiratory management; (2) premedication with injectable anesthetics decreases MAC; and (3) each procedure results in no clinically abnormal signs of cardio-respiratory function. Thus, we were sure of the safety and efficacy of our hypotheses for clinical methods in avian anesthesia with intubation, and attempted to apply them to several species of Japanese wild birds. Optimal results were obtained with isoflurane provided at 1.0–2.0 MAC of pigeons, so we conclude that our indications are effective in clinical situation. The indications are: (1) in small birds, premedication should be avoided due to the stress of needle puncture; (2) except in small birds, atropine should be used to prevent the possible cardio-respiratory depressive effects of prolonged exposure to isoflurane; (3) subcutaneous injection of atropine, diazepam and ketamine could be useful for anesthetizing large and powerful birds to which mask induction could not be applied.