Use of xylazine, butorphanol, tiletamine-zolazepam, and isoflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in ratites.

Anesthetic effects of xylazine, butorphanol, tiletamine-zolazepam, and isoflurane in ratites (9 emus, 3 rheas, 6 ostriches) were determined. Anesthetic treatments included 4 regimens: induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane, induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane, and preanesthetic tranquilization with xylazine and butorphanol followed by induction of anesthesia with tiletamine-zolazepam and maintenance with isoflurane. None of the birds developed irreversible adverse effects, but 2 developed brady cardia (1 was treated with atropine and responded) and 2 others developed transient apnea. Intravenous administration of tiletamine-zolazepam produced rapid and smooth induction of anesthesia in adult ostriches.