Use of xylazine, butorphanol, tiletamine-zolazepam, and isoflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in ratites

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 210; no. 2; p. 244
• Main Authors: Lin, H.C. (Auburn University, Auburn, AL.), Todhunter, P.G, Powe, T.A, Ruffin, D.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.01.1997
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Anesthesia; ANAESTHESIA; ANAESTHETICS; Analgesics, Opioid; ANESTESIA; ANESTESICOS; Anesthesia - veterinary; ANESTHESIE; ANESTHESIQUE; Anesthetics, Combined; Anesthetics, Dissociative; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Animals; Animals, Domestic; ASSOCIATION MEDICAMENTEUSE; AUTRUCHE; AVESTRUZ; Birds - physiology; Birds - surgery; BLOOD PRESSURE; Butorphanol; Diazepam; DRUG COMBINATIONS; ECHANGE GAZEUX; EMEU; EMU; EMUS; FRECUENCIA CARDIACA; FREQUENCE CARDIAQUE; GAS EXCHANGE; HEART RATE; Hypnotics and Sedatives; INHALED ANESTHETICS; INJECTION; INTERCAMBIO DE GASES; INYECCION; Isoflurane; MEDICAMENT NEUROTROPE; MEDICAMENTOS NEUROTROPICOS; MEZCLA DE MEDICAMENTOS; Midazolam; NANDOU; NANDU; NEUROTROPIC DRUGS; OPERACIONES QUIRURGICAS; OPERATION CHIRURGICALE; OPIOIDS; OSTRICHES; PRESION SANGUINEA; PRESSION SANGUINE; RESPIRATION RATE; RHEAS; SURGICAL OPERATIONS; Tiletamine; XILAZINA; XYLAZINE; Zolazepam
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1997.210.02.244

Anesthetic effects of xylazine, butorphanol, tiletamine-zolazepam, and isoflurane in ratites (9 emus, 3 rheas, 6 ostriches) were determined. Anesthetic treatments included 4 regimens: induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane, and preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane. None of the birds developed irreversible adverse effects, but 2 developed brady cardia (1 was treated with atropine and responded) and 2 others developed transient apnea. Intravenous administration of tiletamine-zolazepam produced rapid and smooth induction of anesthesia in adult ostriches.