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Pain Management in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Bird · Ara ararauna · typical adult weight 0.90–1.30 kg

2 cited drugs treat Pain Management in blue-and-gold macaws: Butorphanol, Carprofen.

Multimodal analgesia spanning NSAIDs, opioids, local anaesthetics, NMDA antagonists (ketamine), α2 agonists, and adjuncts. Species safety matters: NSAIDs are unsafe in some reptiles, opioid receptor distributions differ in birds, and rabbits tolerate buprenorphine particularly well.

The overview above describes Pain Management across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to blue-and-gold macaws — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
IM, IV0.5–4 mg/kgq1-4hAnalgesia / sedation (kappa-opioid agonist-antagonist)WeakSladky KK, Krugner-Higby L, Meek-Walker E, et al. Serum concentrations and analgesic effects of liposome-encapsulated and standard butorphanol tartrate in parrots. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67:775-781. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.448 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Carprofen(Rimadyl, Novox)

Analgesic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
SC, IM2–10 mg/kgnot stated in the rowNSAID analgesia / anti-inflammatoryWeakEdling TM. Anaesthesia and analgesia. In: Chitty J, Harcourt-Brown N, eds. BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds; British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2005:87-96. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.458 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Other conditions in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Pain Management in Blue-and-Gold Macaws: 2 Cited Drug Options | ExoticRx