Evaluation of Analgesics for Psittacine Species 

Joanne Paul-Murphy, DVM
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison

It is easily accepted that birds feel pain, however, very little research has been done to determine ways to relieve pain in birds. In addition to the humane reasons to relieve pain, pain has many physiological consequences which can impede patient recovery. Earlier studies have been performed on chickens and pigeons, but results were not correlated with clinical application. Currently, information on dosage and dosing intervals is extrapolated from studies in dogs, cats, and humans.
Opioids are drugs that combine with receptors in the brain and spinal cord and modifying the transmission and recognition of pain. Studies in pigeons and chickens suggest that opioid receptors are present in birds. Butorphanol (an opioid) was used in this study since it is commonly used in veterinary medicine. Combination of an opioid with an inhalation anesthetic such as isoflurane can decrease the concentration of gas anesthesia. Studies published by the University of Wisconsin using cockatoos, African gray parrots, and blue-fronted Amazon parrots indicate that different species of birds may respond to different dosages of butorphanol. A follow-up study using awake African grey parrots found that 50% of the birds used in the study had an analgesic response when given butorphanol. Further studies will evaluate butorphanol at higher doses.
This study was suported by a grant from the Association of Avian Veterinarians.