NO SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE RESPONSE OF HISPANIOLAN AMAZON PARROTS (AMAZONA VENTRALIS) SEDATED WITH INTRANASAL MIDAZOLAM-BUTORPHANOL DURING PERIODS OF ROUTINE RESTRAINT.

Abstract

A previous study found that restraint significantly increased plasma corticosterone in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). This noncrossover study's objective was to test the effects of the sedatives midazolam and butorphanol on the plasma corticosterone response in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots during a 30-min period of restraint. The prediction was that sedated parrots would have significantly decreased plasma corticosterone responses compared with controls when restrained. The parrot colony contained 10 male and 12 female Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (15-26 yr of age; weight range, 264-334 g). The birds were processed according to cage order. Each parrot was caught and restrained in a towel. A baseline blood sample was collected from each bird in <3 min upon entering the room. The bird was weighed and a control (saline solution, n = 11) or sedative (midazolam and butorphanol, n = 11) treatment was administered intranasally based on a preset randomized list of either the word "control" or "treatment." Additional blood samples were taken 15 and 30 min after saline or sedative administration (a total of three blood samples per bird). Plasma corticosterone levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassays. The prediction that sedated parrots would have significantly decreased plasma corticosterone responses compared with controls was not supported (P = 0.99). These results suggest that even when sedated, psittacines can experience acute stress responses when handled and clinicians should be mindful of this stress response to reduce potential adverse effects.