title: Clinical evaluation of general anaesthesia in pigeons using a combination of ketamine and diazepam.
abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical effects of ketamine, diazepam and a  ketamine and diazepam combination in the general anaesthesia of pigeons. Thirty-two  pigeons of both sexes with body weights ranging from 280 g to 300 g were allocated randomly  to four groups comprising eight birds each. Group D received a 0.5 mL mixture of diazepam  (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, group K a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (30 mg/kg) and  normal saline, group D, group KD a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (10 mg/kg), diazepam  (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, whilst group C (control) received 0.5 mL of normal saline only.  Each mixture was administered intramuscularly.Under standard operating room conditions, general anaesthesia was not observed in group  C (normal saline alone). In group D, sedation and muscle relaxation without complete loss  of consciousness was observed. Induction time of anaesthesia in group KD was significantly  quicker than group K (p &lt; 0.05). Duration of anaesthesia in group KD was significantly longer than group K (p &lt; 0.05). Recovery took longer in group KD in comparison with group K, but the difference was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). The birds in group KD were calm and sedated, with good muscle relaxation, whilst in group K the birds were excited and showed a drop in body temperature.According to the results of this study, the combination of low dose ketamine hydrochloride  (HCL) and diazepam overcame the adverse effects of ketamine alone. This combination  produced a more rapid induction of anaesthesia, as well as an increase in anaesthesia  duration, with good muscle relaxation and a smooth and slow recovery. Use of a combination  of ketamine HCL given at 10 mg/kg and diazepam given at 0.2 mg/kg for anaesthesia in  pigeons is therefore recommended.
authors: Young Researchers Club, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
authors: Aidin
authors: A
authors: Azizpour
authors: Yashar
authors: Y
authors: Hassani
mesh_terms: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007649:Ketamine; D003975:Diazepam