Sedation in Budgerigars

Bird · Melopsittacus undulatus · typical adult weight 0.03–0.07 kg

5 cited drugs treat Sedation in budgerigars: Alfaxalone, Atipamezole, Butorphanol, Dexmedetomidine, Flumazenil.

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 budgerigars — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Alfaxalone(Alfaxan)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	15 mg/kg	single dose for short procedural sedation	Sedation for radiography, venipuncture and physical examination	Moderate	Escalante GC, Balko JA, Chinnadurai SK. Comparison of the Sedative Effects of Alfaxalone and Butorphanol-Midazolam Administered Intramuscularly in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Avian Med Surg. 2018;32(4):279. doi:10.1647/2017-328 https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-328

Full Alfaxalone dosing in Budgerigars →Calculate for this budgerigar →

Atipamezole(Antisedan)

Antidote

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.1–0.4 mg/kg	single dose, matched to the dexmedetomidine dose	Reversal of dexmedetomidine sedation	Moderate	Mumm LE, Mans C. Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam sedation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022;260(10):1194-1199. doi:10.2460/javma.22.01.0005 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35482567

Full Atipamezole dosing in Budgerigars →Calculate for this budgerigar →

Butorphanol(Torbugesic, Torbutrol)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	2.5 mg/kg	single dose, given with midazolam 1.25 mg/kg IM	Sedation with midazolam for diagnostic handling	Moderate	Escalante GC, Balko JA, Chinnadurai SK. Comparison of the Sedative Effects of Alfaxalone and Butorphanol-Midazolam Administered Intramuscularly in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Avian Med Surg. 2018;32(4):279. doi:10.1647/2017-328 https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-328

Full Butorphanol dosing in Budgerigars →Calculate for this budgerigar →

Dexmedetomidine(Dexdomitor, Sileo)

Anesthetic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.01–0.04 mg/kg	single dose, given with midazolam 3 mg/kg IM	Sedation for radiographic positioning	Moderate	Mumm LE, Mans C. Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam sedation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022;260(10):1194-1199. doi:10.2460/javma.22.01.0005 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35482567

Full Dexmedetomidine dosing in Budgerigars →Calculate for this budgerigar →

Flumazenil(Romazicon)

Antidote

Route	Dose	Frequency	Indication	Evidence	Source
IM	0.1 mg/kg	single dose	Reversal of midazolam sedation	Moderate	Mumm LE, Mans C. Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam sedation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2022;260(10):1194-1199. doi:10.2460/javma.22.01.0005 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/35482567

Full Flumazenil dosing in Budgerigars →Calculate for this budgerigar →

All drugs cited for Sedation →All drugs for Budgerigars →

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.