Use of the steroid anaesthetic CT 1341 in birds.

Despite extensive work-on mammals there is a shortage of accurate data on the anaesthesia of birds. Those publications which exist frequently fail to supply information on the methods used to assess the depth of anaesthesia, as was emphasized by Jordan, Sanford and Wright (1960). Birds have a high metabolic rate and a specialized respiratory system and hence frequently react poorly or adversely to agents which cause sedation or anaesthesia in mammals (Arnall 1964). Efficient anaesthesia of birds is frequently of value to the veterinary surgeon. The fowl and other domesticated species are only rarely anaesthetised when kept for commercial purposes, but as laboratory animals they frequently require immobilisation or anaesthesia for experimental techniques. In small animal practices a number of exotic birds may be presented for surgery and here a suitable anaesthetic is essential. The predatory birds can be particularly difficult and dangerous to handle and an anaesthetic agent may be desirable for even minor procedures. The various agents available for the anaesthesia of birds of prey were discussed by Cooper (1970) and Houston and Cooper (1973) who concluded that a number were unsuitable for these species. These authors recommended the hypnotic agent metomidate (Janssen Pharmaceutica) by intramuscular injection for predatory birds. During the course of work in Kenya it was necessary to anaesthetise wild and