Comparison of intranasal administration of diazepam, midazolam and xylazine in Pigeons: Clinical evaluation

Safe and effective sedation methods are as much important for small pet birds as for theother animals not only for surgical procedures but also for safe handling and diagnostic andclinical procedures such as radiography, wound dressing, blood collection, endoscopy andfracture repair procedures. the aim of this study is comparison of sedation efficacy inintranasal administration of xylazine, diazepam and midazolam in pigeons. fifteen healthyadult domesticated pigeons of both sexes, weighing 289±61.8 gram were used in this study.xylazine (29.4±1.9 mg/kg), diazepam (6.4±0.9 mg/kg) and midazolam (6.5±1.0 mg/kg)was administered intranasaly using a micropipette. the onset time, dorsal recumbencyduration time and duration of sedation time were measured and recorded.this study showed that intranasal (in) drug administration could provide fast and reliablesedation in pigeons and in midazolam or diazepam can provide adequate sedation fordiagnostic and minor therapeutic procedures.