An analysis of oxidative stress indices and clinical parameters in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) treated with medetomidine-ketamine and midazolam-ketamine

Various companion birds, including budgerigars, are anesthetized with injectable anesthesia. The current study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) along with clinical parameters such as the time required to induce, maintain and recover from medetomidine-ketamine anesthesia and midazolam-ketamine anesthesia in budgerigars. Among ۲۰ mature and healthy budgerigars, three groups were assigned as follows: Control (n = ۴) to determine baseline oxidative stress indices medetomidine + ketamine (n = ۸) anesthetized by intramuscular injections of medetomidine (۰.۰۴ mg kg-۱) and ketamine (۳۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱) in the pectoral muscles, midazolam + ketamine (n = ۸) anesthetized by intramuscular injections of midazolam (۱.۰۰ mg kg-۱) and ketamine (۵۰.۰۰ mg kg-۱). Half of birds (n = ۴) in the second and third groups were euthanized by cervical dislocation ۱ hr after anesthesia induction, blood samples were collected directly from the heart, and sera were extracted. Additionally, the remaining birds were euthanized ۲۴ hr later, and their serum was analyzed for oxidative stress indices. Clinical parameters were recorded during the study. Compared to the medetomidine + ketamine group, the midazolam + ketamine group experienced shorter induction, anesthetic, and recovery times. Administering medetomidine and ketamine elevated TOS levels compared with midazolam + ketamine. No significant difference was found between the test groups for TAC, MDA, or OSI. Therefore, the midazolam + ketamine regimen appears superior to medetomidine + ketamine when performing minor surgeries on budgerigars.