Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effects of intranasal benzodiazepines (midazolam and diazepam), α2-agonists (xylazine and detomidine) and their antagonists (flumazenil and yohimbine)
in canaries.
Study design
Prospective randomized study.
Animals
Twenty-six healthy adult domesticated canaries of both sexes, weighing 18.3 ± 1.0
g.
Methods
In Study 1 an attempt was made to determine the dose of each drug that allowed treated
canaries to be laid in dorsal recumbency for at least 5 minutes, i.e. its effective
dose. This involved the evaluation of various doses, during which equal volumes of
the tested drug were administered slowly into each nostril. In study 2 the onset of
action, duration and quality of sedation induced by each drug at its effective dose
were evaluated. The efficacy of flumazenil and yohimbine in antagonizing the effects
of the sedative drugs was also studied.
Results
In study 1 administration of 25 μL per nostril diazepam (5 mg mL−1 solution) or midazolam (5 mg mL−1 solution) to each bird caused adequate sedation within 1–2 minutes; birds did not
move when placed in dorsal recumbency. After administration of 12 μL per nostril of either xylazine (20 mg mL−1) or detomidine (10 mg mL−1), birds seemed heavily sedated and assumed sternal recumbency but could not be placed
in dorsal recumbency. Higher doses of xylazine (0.5 mg per nostril) or detomidine
(0.25 mg per nostril) prolonged sedation but did not produce dorsal recumbency. In
study 2 in all treatment groups, onset of action was rapid. Duration of dorsal recumbency
was significantly longer (p < 0.05) with diazepam (38.4 ± 10.5 minutes) than midazolam (17.1 ± 2.2 minutes).
Intranasal flumazenil (2.5 μg per nostril) significantly reduced recumbency time. Duration of sedation was longer
with α2-agonists compared with benzodiazepines. Detomidine had the longest duration of effect
(257.5 ± 1.5 minutes) and midazolam the shortest (36.9 ± 2.4 minutes). Nasally administered
flumazenil significantly reduced the duration of sedation with diazepam and midazolam
while yohimbine (120 μg per nostril) effectively antagonized the effects of xylazine and detomidine.
Conclusion
Intranasal benzodiazepines produce rapid and effective sedation in canaries. Intranasal
α2 agonists produce sedation but not sustained recumbency. Specific antagonists are
also effective when used by this route.
Clinical relevance
Intranasal sedative drug administration is an acceptable alternative method of drug
delivery in canaries.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 24,
2005
Received:
August 1,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
