Bird · Columba livia domestica · typical adult weight 0.30–0.50 kg
Dexmedetomidine is dosed at 0.08 mg/kg IM single dose, combined with midazolam 2 mg/kg IM in domestic pigeons, per Jeffrey A, Burns L, Santangelo S, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Camlic S, Paredes B, Barletta M, et al. Medetomidine-vatinoxan-midazolam provides similar sedation depth with reduced bradycardia compared to dexmedetomidine-midazolam in pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(10):ajvr.24.05.0143. doi:10.2460/ajvr.24.05.0143 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/39127079. Dexmedetomidine is used in domestic pigeons for Sedation and chemical restraint for short procedures. Routes documented in domestic pigeons: IM. A typical adult domestic pigeon weighs 0.30–0.50 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Dexmedetomidine in domestic pigeons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Dexdomitor, Sileo
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 0.08 mg/kg | single dose, combined with midazolam 2 mg/kg IM | Sedation and chemical restraint for short procedures | Strong | Jeffrey A, Burns L, Santangelo S, Sallaberry-Pincheira N, Camlic S, Paredes B, Barletta M, et al. Medetomidine-vatinoxan-midazolam provides similar sedation depth with reduced bradycardia compared to dexmedetomidine-midazolam in pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Am J Vet Res. 2024;85(10):ajvr.24.05.0143. doi:10.2460/ajvr.24.05.0143 https://europepmc.org/article/MED/39127079 |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your domestic pigeon's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Produces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation via CNS depression.
Profound cardiovascular effects: initial hypertension then hypotension, bradycardia. Avoid in animals with cardiac disease, hepatic or renal disease. Reversible with atipamezole. Vomiting common after IM injection.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for domestic pigeons may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Dexmedetomidine dose range in domestic pigeons, with cited source references: IM 0.08 mg/kg single dose, combined with midazolam 2 mg/kg IM. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Dexmedetomidine in domestic pigeons: IM.
Dexmedetomidine is indicated in domestic pigeons for: Sedation and chemical restraint for short procedures.
These are general warnings for Dexmedetomidine across species; consult the domestic pigeon dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Profound cardiovascular effects: initial hypertension then hypotension, bradycardia. Avoid in animals with cardiac disease, hepatic or renal disease. Reversible with atipamezole. Vomiting common after IM injection.
Why a species-specific page? Dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in domestic pigeons — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.