Intranasal alfaxalone in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) does not produce sedation compared to intramuscular alfaxalone with or without midazolam.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the sedative effects of intranasal (IN) alfaxalone to IM alfaxalone with or without IM midazolam in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus).

Methods: A prospective, blinded, crossover study was performed on 8 healthy male cockatiels from February through April 2021. Birds randomly received 4 treatments with at least a 1-week washout period: alfaxalone at 15 mg/kg, IN (IN-A); alfaxalone at 15 mg/kg, IM, with (IM-AM) or without (IM-A) midazolam at 3 mg/kg, IM; and midazolam at 3 mg/kg, IM (IM-M). Time to recumbency and heart and respiratory rates were recorded. Ten minutes following administration, birds were restrained for sham 2-view radiographs and venipuncture. Following venipuncture, flumazenil at 0.1 mg/kg, IM, was administered (IM-AM and IM-M). Time to standing was recorded. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model, a mixed effects γ-regression model, and Cochran Q, Friedman, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results: No sedative effects were observed in IN-A. Recumbency was achieved in 0/8, 5/8, 8/8, and 0/8 birds in IN-A, IM-A, IM-AM, and IM-M, respectively. Respiratory and heart rates remained within acceptable limits in all birds. Sham radiographs were acquired in 0/8, 1/8, 6/8, and 0/8 birds in IN-A, IM-A, IM-AM, and IM-M, respectively. Venipuncture was successful in all birds with median lactate concentrations of 4.9, 2.4, 1.0, and 1.8 mmol/L in IN-A, IM-A, IM-AM, and IM-M, respectively. Median (range) time to standing after handling in IM-A and IM-AM was 8.8 (0 to 15.0) and 14.5 (0.6 to 15.5) min, respectively.

Conclusions: Intranasal alfaxalone at 15 mg/kg did not produce sedation.

Clinical relevance: Intramuscular alfaxalone at 15 mg/kg with midazolam at 3 mg/kg produced sedation in cockatiels.