Use of xylazine and detomidine alone and with ketamine anesthesia for the caponization in pigeons (Columba livia).

A study was conducted to compare the synergistic efficacy of xylazine detomidine alone and with ketamine and their cocktail in pigeons (Columba livia). For this study, 16 adult and healthy pigeons were divided into four equal groups A, B C and D. Birds of groups A and B were intramuscularly administered xylazine and detomidine @ 16 and 1.4 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Pigeons of group C and D received xylazine + ketamine cocktail @ 8 and 30 + 0.7 and 30 mg/kg b. wt. respectively. Induction of sedation and anaesthesia was smooth in all groups. Mean duration of induction was 11.1 + 2.03, 11.0 + 1.49, 1.6 + 0.48 and 1.7 + 0.57 minutes in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. In groups A and B, smooth but light sedation and anaesthesia were observed accompanied by superficial analgesia, while in group C and D, birds showed deep anaesthesia along with deep analgesia. Birds in groups A and B elicited hypothermia, respiratory depression and bradycardia till complete recovery, while group B showed hyperthermia and tachycardia with rapid respiration. In group A and B, sedation persisted for 54.2 + 21.82 and 51.1 + 19.07 minutes and mean recovery period was 49.9 + 5.91 minutes, while groups C and D had anaesthesia for 47.7 + 8.06 and 103.5 + 27.52 minutes, and recovery periods were 52.6 + 9.64 and 61.3 + 17.26 minutes, respectively. Recovery was rough in group A and B and smooth in groups C and D. It was concluded that in pigeons, detomidine (alone) is safe for handling and for least painful procedures, while detomidine ketamine and xylazine ketamine cocktail is safe as intramuscular anaesthetic for major surgical procedures. However, xylazine is not a good anaesthetic to be used alone in pigeons.