Evaluation of sedation of the green-billed toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) with isolated use of dexmedetomidine or in combination with midazolam

• Grant number: 20/04596-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal researcher: Silvia Renata Gaido Cortopassi
• Grantee: Marina Ponstein Shiroma
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The red-breasted tucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) belongs to the Ramphastidae family and is a symbolic animal of the american tropical fauna. It has great ecological importance in the regeneration of forest areas through the dispersion of seeds and insect control. In Brazil, it occurs mainly in the South and Southeast regions. Due to the fact that it's a constantly victim of trafficking, it is a species commonly assigned to Wildlife Centers, institutions that aim the release of these animals. In order to be treated properly, birds undergo clinical evaluation to identify possible diseases, in which, it is often necessary the use of chemical containment. The application of safe and effective anesthetic protocols for sedation is essential in the clinical and diagnostic routine of this species. The present study aims to compare the quality of sedation and recovery with dexmedetomidine singly and in association with midazolam in 10 individuals of the species Ramphastos dicolorus, as well as to evaluate the duration period and anesthetic recovery. The animals will come from a Wildlife Center located in Barueri - São Paulo, and will be submitted to two anesthetic protocols in a crossover design, with a 15-day interval. After observing the signs of sedation, the birds will be positioned on the experimental table and the parameters will also be measured in every five minutes: heart and respiratory rates, cloacal temperature and systolic blood pressure.