Comparison of Computed Tomographic Images of Birds Obtained With Sedation vs General Anesthesia

Antemortem diagnosis of hydrocephalus in two Congo African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) by means of computed tomography

“…22,24 However, MRI is not as widely available as CT in veterinary clinics. 25 Both patients in this report had gastrointestinal metallic foreign bodies. 19 However, birds are lissencephalic, meaning they lack cerebral gyri and sulci, 8,10 so MRI cannot be used to evaluate avian patients for brain atrophy in this manner.…”

Sedation and Local Anesthesia as an Alternative to General Anesthesia in 3 Birds

“…Slightly to moderately higher dosages of midazolam were used in combination with butorphanol in a variety of psittacines undergoing sedated computed tomographic scans where elimination of patient movement was mandatory. 10 In this study, it was noted that dosages required varied from species to species, and even between individuals of the same species.…”

“…1,8 Drugs used for sedation have also been used as pre-medications for general anesthesia. 9,10 With the addition of a local anesthetic agent, sedation can be expanded to include slightly to moderately painful procedures, such as wound care, placement of an intraosseous catheter, and digit amputation. 8 This represents a useful alternative to general anesthesia, especially for compromised patients.…”

“…Dosages suggested for midazolam and butorphanol in combination for sedation and pre-anesthesia also vary and range from 0.1-2.0 mg/kg midazolam and 1-3 mg/kg butorphanol. 1,[8][9][10] The author and others have found that the addition of butorphanol allows lower effective dosages of midazolam; an additional benefit is the provision of analgesia.…”

“…10 Local anesthetics work by blocking sodium channels in the nerve axon, which interferes with the generation and conduction of action potentials along a nerve. They provide preemptive analgesia by reducing the number and frequency of nerve impulses and also reduce nociceptor receptivity.…”