electrocardiogram assessment in chough (pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) following intranasal administration of anesthetics

Objective- the objective of the present study was to define electrocardiographic data following intranasal administration of diazepam, midazolam and xylazine with or without ketamine in chough. design- to determine the heart effects of anesthetics in intranasal administration, an experimental in vivo study was employed. animals- ten healthy choughs were examined in the current study procedures- after intranasal administration of diazepam, midazolam and xylazine with or without ketamine, electrocardiograms were recorded by a direct writing electrocardiograph. then the heart rate, durations (seconds - s) and amplitude (millivolts - mv) of the p wave, qrs complex and t wave all measured in the bipolar ii derivation results- there was a normal sinus rhythm after application of all drugs or combinations. the range of the heart rate of the birds was from 93 to321 beats/min. the p wave was always positive in all recorded leads after administration. during anesthesia or sedation with all drugs, the t wave was positive in leads i, ii, iii and avf and negative in leads avr, and avl. the amplitude and duration of p, qrs and t waves were changed after intranasal administration of all drugs or combinations. conclusion and clinical relevance-based on the electrocardiographic findings it seems that the xylazine is not a suitable drug to induce sedation and anesthesia of choughs via intranasal administration. therefore, xylazine must be used for birds when its antagonists are accessible.