The Use of Alfaxalone in Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)

Intranasal butorphanol and midazolam administered prior to intramuscular alfaxalone provides safe and effective sedation in Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)

“…Respiratory rate was significantly increased compared to baseline, which is consistent with previous work in Quaker parrots sedated with midazolam and alfaxalone with an approximate doubling of respiratory rate from baseline during the first 50 minutes following administration. 7 One bird in the present study experienced apparent respiratory distress with open-mouth breathing and a sudden increase in respiratory rate from 210 to 350 breaths/min, approximately 45 minutes after LDA administration. Supplemental oxygen was provided to the subject's incubator for 65 minutes, during which time the subject's respiratory rate decreased and open-mouth breathing resolved.…”

“…The duration from treatment administration to recovery from sedation was significantly different between the treatments, with LDA recovering a median of 37.5 minutes faster than HDA. Whitehead et al 7 reported shorter recovery times in Quaker parrots administered higher doses of alfaxalone than used in the present study (44.0 ± 10.8 minutes for alfaxalone 10 mg/kg, IM alone and 86.2 ± 13.4 minutes for alfaxalone 25 mg/kg, IM alone), with the longest recovery time occurring in those birds administered a combination of midazolam and alfaxalone (103.5 ± 15.1 minutes for midazolam 1 mg/kg, IM + alfaxalone 10 mg/kg, IM). To the authors' knowledge, the pharmacokinetics and duration of action of midazolam or butorphanol in Quaker parrots have not been determined for any route of administration.…”

“…These results AJVR differ from previous work as heart rate was reported to decrease in Quaker parrots administered higher doses of alfaxalone than used in the present study (10 mg/kg). 7 Budgerigars experienced transient bradycardia with sinus arrhythmia that returned to baseline within 15 minutes following IM alfaxalone administration. 17 These findings may indicate that the use of lower doses of alfaxalone in combination with midazolam-butorphanol results in a decreased risk for bradycardia in Quaker parrots.…”

“…18 Investigation into the effects of intramuscular (IM) administration of alfaxalone in Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) revealed the potential development of hyperexcitation and muscle tremors, which were reduced but not abolished in individuals who were premedicated with IM midazolam as compared to those in which alfaxalone was used as the sole sedative agent. 7 Midazolam, a GABA A receptor agonist, is commonly administered to psittacines due to its sedative and muscle relaxant properties, minimal cardiovascular effects, and ease of reversibility. 15,19 Butorphanol, a κ-agonist and either μ-antagonist or weak μ-agonist drug, is also administered in combination with midazolam as a part of a multimodal anesthetic protocol for psittacines.…”

Multimodal analgesic technique in a peacock (Pavo cristatus) anaesthetised for orthopaedic surgery

“…In this case, the decision to use alfaxalone and not propofol as induction agent was based on previous studies that reported a narrow safety margin and significant respiratory depression when propofol was administered to birds 38,39 . Alfaxalone could result in muscle tremors and hyperexcitation during induction 40,41 ; these side effects were not noted in our case probably due to the good level of sedation achieved after premedication. The major side effect of alfaxalone in this case was hypoventilation.…”