Electrocardiogram Assessment in Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) Following Intranasal Administration of Anesthetics

Objective- The objective of the present study was to define electrocardiographic data following intranasal administration of diazepam, midazolam and xylazine with or without Ketamine in Chough.
Design- To determine the heart effects of anesthetics in intranasal administration, an experimental in vivo study was employed.
Animals- Ten healthy Choughs were examined in the current study
Procedures- After intranasal administration of diazepam, midazolam and xylazine with or without Ketamine, electrocardigorams were recorded by a direct writing electrocardiograph. Then the heart rate, durations (seconds - s) and amplitude (millivolts - mv) of the P wave, QRS complex and T wave all measured in the bipolar II derivation
Results- There was a normal sinus rhythm after application of all drugs or combinations. The range of the heart rate of the birds was from 93 to 321 beats/min. The P wave was always positive in all recorded leads after administration. During anesthesia or sedation with all drugs, the T wave was positive in leads I, II, III and aVF and negative in leads aVR, and aVL. The amplitude and duration of P, QRS and T waves were changed after intranasal administration of all drugs or combinations.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Based on the electrocardiographic hjfindings it seems that the xylazine is not a suitable drug to induce sedation and anesthesia of choughs via intranasal administration. Therefore, xylazine must be used for birds when its antagonists are accessible.