Exotic Animal Formulary5

(K) 10 mg/kg + (D)
0.2 mg/kg IM 31 Pigeons/rapid induction with an
increase in anesthesia duration;
good muscle relaxation and a
smooth, slow recovery
(K) 10 mg/kg + (D) Amazon parrots/PD; significantly
0.5 mg/kg IM 586 reduced sevoflurane MAC
(K) 10-40 mg/kg IV +
(D) 1-1.5 mg/kg
IM, IV 653
(K) 20-40 mg/kg IM
+ (D) 1-1.5 mg/kg
IM 531
(K) 20 mg/kg + (D) 1
mg/kg IV 159
Raptors, waterfowl/induction or
surgical anesthesia (rapid bolus may
produce apnea, arrhythmia, and
increased risk of death)
Birds >250 g
Toucans/short procedures (15-20 min)
Ketamine (K)/butorphanol
(B)/medetomidine (Me)
— Medetomidine no longer available, but
can be compounded; see
dexmedetomidine
(K) 3 mg/kg + (B) 1
mg/kg + (Me) 40
µg/kg IM 865
(K) 50 mg + (B) 50
µg + (Me) 50 µg
IM per pigeon 29
Psittacines/premedication or supplement
to isoflurane; reduces isoflurane
requirement and improves
ventilation
Pigeons/PD; satisfactory anesthesia in
7/8 pigeons; heart rate, respiratory
rate decreased within 10 min
following Me + B injection;
arrhythmias in 3/8 pigeons; cloacal
temperature decreased gradually
during anesthesia
Ketamine (K)/medetomidine
(Me)
— Unreliable level of sedation in pigeons
at (K) 5 mg/kg + (Me) 80 µg/kg IM; 618
medetomidine not currently
available, but can be compounded
(K) 1.5-2 mg/kg +
(Me) 60-85 µg/kg
IM, IV 333
Pigeons/sedation
(K) 2 mg/kg + (Me)
80 µg/kg IM 435 Ostriches/sedation
(K) 2-4 mg/kg + (Me)
25-75 µg/kg IV 366 Raptors
(K) 2.5-7 mg/kg +
(Me) 50-
100 µg/kg IV 367 Large psittacines
340