Comparative Effectiveness of General Anesthesia in Doves Using a Combination of Ketamine and Diazepam

The present research was conducted to check the clinical effects of ketamine, diazepam and a ketamine and a combination of diazepam in the general anaesthesia of doves. 32 doves of both sexes with body weights ranging from 280 gm to 300 gm were divided randomly to 4 groups having 8 birds each. Group A received a 0.5 mL mixture of diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, group B a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (30 mg/kg) and normal saline, group C a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (10 mg/kg), diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, while group D (control) received 0.5 mL of normal saline only. Each mixture was administered intramuscularly. Under standard operating room conditions, general anaesthesia was not observed in group D (normal saline alone). In group A, sedation and muscle relaxation without complete loss of consciousness was observed. Induction time of anaesthesia in group C (doves treated with ketamine and diazepam combination was significantly quicker than group B (p < 0.05) that were treated with ketamine alone. Duration of anaesthesia in group C was significantly longer than group B (p < 0.05). Recovery took longer in group C in comparison with group K, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The birds in group C were calm and sedated, with good muscle relaxation, whilst in group B the birds were excited and showed a drop in body temperature. According to the results of this study, the combination of low dose ketamine hydrochloride (HCL) and diazepam overcame the adverse effects of ketamine alone. This combination produced a more rapid induction of anaesthesia, as well as an increase in anaesthesia duration, with good muscle relaxation and a smooth and slow recovery. Use of a combination of ketamine HCL given at 10 mg/kg and diazepam given at 0.2 mg/kg for anaesthesia in doves is therefore recommended.