Comparative efficacy (sedative and anaesthetic) of detomidine, ketamine and
detomidine-ketamine cocktail in pigeons (Columba
livia)
UZMA F. DURRANI, M. ARIF KHAN1 AND S. SALEEM AHMAD
Pet centre; University
of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Lahore;
1Department
of Clinical Medicine and Surgery,University
of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Lahore,
Pakistan
Abstract
A study was conducted to compare the synergistic efficacy of detomidine,
ketamine and their cocktail in pigeons (Columba
livia). For this study, 15 adult and healthy pigeons were divided into three
equal groups A, B and C. Birds of groups A and B were intramuscularly
administered detomidine and ketamine @
1.4 and 60 mg/kg b. wt., respectively. Pigeons of group C received detomidine +
Ketamine cocktail @ 0.7 and 30 mg/kg b. wt. Induction of sedation and
anaesthesia was smooth in all groups. Mean duration of induction was 11.1 +
2.03, 11.0 + 1.49 and 1.6 + 0.48 minutes in groups A, B, C,
respectively. In groups A and B, smooth but light sedation and anaesthesia were
observed accompanied by superficial analgesia, while in group C, birds showed
deep anaesthesia alongwith deep analgesia. Birds in groups A and C elicited
hypothermia, respiratory depression and bradycardia till complete recovery,
while group B showed hyperthermia and tachycardia with rapid respiration. In
group A, sedation persisted for 54.2 + 21.82 minutes and mean recovery
period was 49.9 + 5.91 minutes, while groups B and C 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 B and smooth in groups A and C. It was concluded that in pigeons,
detomidine (alone) is safe for handling and for least painful procedures, while
detomidine-ketamine cocktail is safe as intramuscular anaesthetic for major
surgical procedures. However, ketamine is not a good anaesthetic to be used
alone in pigeons.