title: Evaluation of Tiletamine-Zolazepam as an Anesthetic in Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
abstract: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) administered alone or in combination with atropine, xylazine, and levomepromazine to quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The induction time, duration of hypnosis and anesthesia, and time to recovery were determined. The presence or absence of tremor, upper respiratory tract secretions, and excitability and the degree of muscular tone were also observed. The results showed that doses from 10 to 100 mg/kg TZ administered alone or in combination with xylazine or levomepromazine failed to produce anesthesia; only hypnosis was obtained in a dose-dependent manner. Immediately after injection of the drug, histopathologic examination of the site of drug injection indicated the presence of discrete acute focal myositis. After 21 days, a discrete fibrosis between muscle fibers was detected in the pectoral muscle as a sign of scarring. We conclude that the administration of TZ to a dose of 100 mg/kg does not produce anesthesia in quail. For noninvasive and minimally painful procedures requiring chemical restraint and recumbency, the recommended dose is 30 mg/kg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechny, University of S o Paulo, S o Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alves Nicolau
authors.forename: Helenice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Souza Spinosa
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: C sar Maiorka
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu s Guerra