Sedative And Analgesic Effects Of Diazepam, Xylazine And Chlorpromazine In Guinea Fowls:- Ibom Obioma R

ABSTRACT xi Chemical restraint is needed in many procedures such as sample collection, pluming, surgical interventions and placement of oesophageal probes. Birds are anaesthetized for almost every procedure and this predisposes them to cardiopulmonary depression as anaesthetic depth increases. It is recommended that chemical restraint of birds for short time procedures should be done if possible only with sedatives and not with general anaesthetics in order to prevent the risk of anaesthetic related death due to cardiopulmonary depression and hypothermia. Diazepam, chlorpromazine and xylazine are all drugs that act on the central nervous system, they also affect vital parameters such as temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. The aim of the study is to determine the effects of Diazepam, Xylazine and Chlorpromazine in achieving deep sedation in guineafowls. Nine healthy adult Guinea fowls ofmixed sex (male and female) weighing between 0.65 to 1.15kg were used in the study. The birds were randomly divided into three groups of three birds each. The birds in each of the three groups, A, B and C were specially marked on their bodies with permanent marker for easy identification. Three dose range of Diazepam (lmg/kg, 2mg/kg, 5mg/kg), Chlorpromazine (5mg/kg, 7mg/kg, 9mg/kg) and Xylazine (lmg/kg, 1.5mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg) were intramuscularly administered to the birds in the different groups. The onset of action was estimated by recording the time (in min) of the initial injections of the drugs (tO) and the time of discoloration of wattle. The duration of analgesia was recorded by noting the time of disappearance of toe-pinch pain reflex (TD) following the drug injection and the time of reappearance of toe-pinch pain reflex (TA). AD = TA -TD. The scale to assess the degree of sedation was adopted. Figures were assigned to the observed signs of sedation; 0 Standing alert, 1 Drooping ofwings, 2 Standing with tired look, 3 Lying down but able to sit without support, 4 Not able to sit without support or recumbent. Degree of muscle relaxation was measured using jaw reflex scale; 0...tightly closed jaw (full tone), 1... moderate resistance to opening the jaw, 2...mild resistance to opening ofjaw, 3...no resistance to opening ofjaw. Physiological parameters such as the heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT) were measured before treatment to ascertain the baseline values (t = Omin) and subsequently every ten (10) min interval following the onset of the action of the drugs till the recovery of each bird. Respiratory rate was recorded by observing and counting the sternal movements ofthe birds. Heart rate was recorded with the aid of a stethoscope placed on the left costal area. The rectal temperature was recorded using digital thermometer placed on the cloacal wall of each bird. Other signs of sedations and side effects were also observed. Diazepam and Xylazine caused dose dependent depression of the CNS and physiological parameters, chlorpromazine caused dose dependent excitement and increased values of the physiological parameters.