Chemical immobilization of Psittacine birds.

Avian manual restraint often causes stress that may be fatal to the patient and chemical immobilization is frequently used as a less stressful alternative in many procedures for birds. Non painful procedures, such as radiography or ophthalmoscopy require a most simplistic approach than surgery. Certain aspects of avian anatomy and physiology, particularly the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, are markedly different to mammal systems and are associated with increased anesthetic risks in birds. Sedation agents are rarely administered to birds, even if some of these (benzodiazepines) may be used as pre-medications. Most Psittacine birds are chemical immobilized with volatile anesthetic agents, using a facemask or induction chamber, but this technique requires continued connection to appropriate instruments. Injectable agents are rarely used in veterinary practices, as inhalational agents are considered much more reliable and safety to use. Various Psittacine birds ( n=159) undergoing painful or non painful procedures were injected IM with ketamine (50 mg/mL) and medetomidine (1 mg/mL) in ratio 1mL:1mL. At the end of the procedure the medetomidine antagonist atipamezole (5 mg/mL) was administered IM. All animals were clinically checked during anesthesia and recovery. Complete immobilization (lack of response to handling) were rapidly observed. The values of heart rate resulted more decreased than the respiratory ones, but they were very stable and they never reached alarming depression levels.It was possible to complete all procedures (painful and non-painful). The required time, from atipamezole administration to standing animal, was short. In all subjects recovery was smooth and no traumatic. In case of undergoing surgery endotracheal tube placement were possible even if in parrots it is more difficult than in other avian species because the tongue is usually flesh with the glottis located caudally at the base. The combination ketamine- medetomidine are effective as chemical restraint of Psittacine birds without problems generally associated to injectable anaesthetic agents, included delay in onset of action or prolonged and traumatic recoveries.