Sedation in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

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

3 cited drugs treat Sedation in blue-and-gold macaws: Butorphanol, Ketamine HCl, Midazolam.

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 blue-and-gold macaws — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM, IV	0.5–4 mg/kg	q1-4h	Analgesia / sedation (kappa-opioid agonist-antagonist)	Weak	Sladky 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)

Full Butorphanol dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Ketamine HCl

Uncategorized

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
SC, IM, IV	10–50 mg/kg	not stated in source	Chemical restraint / sedation	Weak	Doneley B. Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds, 2nd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL; 2016. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.451 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW)

Full Ketamine HCl dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

Midazolam(Versed)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
intranasal	2 mg/kg	once (single dose)	Sedation / chemical restraint	Moderate	Schäffer DP, Raposo AC, Libório FA, et al. Intranasal administration of midazolam in blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara araruana): evaluation of sedative effects. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2016;43(4):459-460. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.454 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) doi:10.1111/vaa.12355

Full Midazolam dosing in Blue-and-Gold Macaws →Calculate for this blue-and-gold macaw →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Blue-and-Gold Macaws →

Other conditions in Blue-and-Gold Macaws

Bacterial Infections Endoparasites Giardiasis Pain Management

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.