Evaluation of the Anesthetic Action of Alfaxalone in Chicks and Compared with Alfaxalone/ketamine or Alfaxalone/xylazine.

Abstract

O BJECTIVE, alfaxalone is a neuro-steroidal anesthetic agent. The data on the anesthetic properties of alfaxalone in the birds is relatively inadequate. This article studies the anesthetic effect and efficiency of alfaxalone /ketamine or alfaxalone /xylazine anesthesia given in 7-10 day-old chicks. Methods, We used the up and down method to determine the median effective anesthetic dose of alfaxalone, time to onset of anesthesia, duration of action, temperature, respiratory rate, and antagonize with flumazenil were evaluated. Results, The median effective anesthetic dose (ED 50 ) of alfaxalone was 32.88mg/kg . intraperitoneally. Alfaxalone at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg induced anesthesia in chicks for (10 -48 minutes). Flumazenil decreased the anesthetic period of alfaxalone. Alfaxalone at 50mg/kg causes bradypnea whereas at 100 mg/kg causes tachypnea. Alfaxalone produce hypothermia. The duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in alfaxalone/xylazine than in alfaxalone/ketamine but it causes more bradypnea. Conclusion, alfaxalone produces light surgical anesthesia so that it can be mixed with ketamine or xylazine for deep surgical anesthesia. Flumazenil may reverse the anesthetic effect of alfaxalone.

The Safety Profile of the Anesthetic Effect of Alfaxalone and its Interaction with Xylazine and Ketamine in Chick’s Model (Gallus Gallus Domesticus)

“…Synergistic effects between alfaxalone and midazolam have been described in dogs (29) and cats (30). It seems that the addition of ketamine and xylazine resulted in balanced and durable anesthesia for dogs, cats (16), and mice (25,26). The higher anesthetic effect achieved with a low-dose alfaxalone in combination with ketamine or xylazine in chicks compared to mice could be attrib uted to the physiologic adaptations including a higher metabolic rate in the rodents (31).…”

“…The chicks were monitored for anesthesia onset (losing the righting reflex and unconsciousness) within two hours. The doses of alfaxalone were decreased or increased by 10 mg depending on the anesthetic effect (14,15 d = increase or decrease in the dosage Ataxia, relaxation, closed eyelids, loss of righting reflex, and sleep within 1-2 minutes were considered as positive signs of anesthesia induced by alfaxalone (16).…”

Bakers’ yeast Induced Paw Edema and Fever in Chicks for Detection of Anti-inflammatory Effects of Alpha-lipoic Acid: A new Approach

“…Ross broiler chicks of both sexes were obtained at age of one day from a local hatchery in Nineveh, Iraq. This is an appropriate lab animal (chick) model used previously in pharmacological and toxicological studies [ 14,15]. They were housed in batches of 20-25 chicks at a temperature of 25-30 ºC with constant lighting and wood shavings as floor litter.…”

The Safety Profile of Flunixin and its Pharmacological Effects in Chicks

“…Two hours after flunixin meglumine dosed, the chicks have been observed individually for the clinical signs of toxicity. 24-hour lethality has been recorded [10].…”