clinical and histopathological comparison of metamizole and midazolam as premedication in pigeon

Anesthesia in birds is associated with high risks. To resolve this problem, we have to find a drug that is compatible with avian physiology and anatomy. This study was conducted to compare the clinical and pathological effects of metamizol with midazolam as premedication in pigeons. For this purpose, eighteen male adult   pigeons with the mean age of two years and weight of 300 gm, were randomly divided into three groups with six individuals per group. Group I was the control group, in which the pigeons were given an intramuscular (IM) injection of ketamine 40 mg/kg body weight. Each pigeon in group II was given an IM injection of midazolam at 6 mg/kg body weight and ketamine at 40 mg/kg body weight within 5 min following the first injection. Also, each pigeon in group III was given an IM injection of metamizole at 500 mg/kg body weight and ketamine at 40 mg/kg body weight within 5 min following the first injection. In order to determine the depth of anesthesia in each group and within 5 min from the last injection, various clinical reflexes were evaluated on the body of each pigeon. Also, postmortem examinations were performed to assess tissue damages in the liver and kidney tissues. The results of clinical evaluation in three groups showed that there was significant difference (p