Sedation in African Grey Parrots

Bird · Psittacus erithacus · typical adult weight 0.40–0.65 kg

8 cited drugs treat Sedation in african grey parrots: Alfaxalone, Butorphanol, Dexmedetomidine, Diazepam, Ketamine, Ketamine Nasal Spray, Midazolam, Midazolam Injectable.

Pharmacologic sedation for diagnostic procedures, minor surgical interventions, and pre-anaesthetic premedi-cation. α2 agonists (dexmedetomidine, medetomidine), phenothiazines (acepromazine), and benzodiazepines (midazolam) form the backbone of veterinary protocols.

The overview above describes Sedation across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to african grey parrots — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	5–15 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Alfaxalone dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	1–4 mg/kg	q2-4h	As needed	Pain management, sedation	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
IV	1–2 mg/kg	q2-4h	As needed	Acute pain, sedation adjunct	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Butorphanol dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.05–0.1 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation, pre-anesthetic	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Dexmedetomidine dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Diazepam(Valium)

Sedative

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–1.5 mg/kg	As needed	Emergency	Seizures, sedation	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Diazepam dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Ketamine(Ketaset, Vetalar)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	10–30 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Sedation, anesthetic induction	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ketamine dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Ketamine Nasal Spray(Ketamine Intranasal Vet)

Miscellaneous

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
Intranasal	10–30 mg/kg	Single dose; onset 3-5 min	Single dose; supplement with midazolam; recovery 30-60 min	Chemical restraint/Sedation	Weak	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ketamine Nasal Spray dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–2 mg/kg	once	Single dose	Pre-anesthetic sedation, seizure control	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Midazolam dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

Midazolam Injectable(Versed)

Neurological

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.5–2 mg/kg	IM	As needed	Sedation, seizures	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Midazolam Injectable dosing in African Grey Parrots →Calculate for this african grey parrot →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for African Grey Parrots →

Other conditions in African Grey Parrots

Bacterial Infections Pain Management General Anesthesia Coccidiosis Endoparasites Seizures and Epilepsy Hypocalcaemia GI Ulceration

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.