Bird · Columba livia domestica · typical adult weight 0.30–0.50 kg
Midazolam is dosed at 2 mg/kg IM single dose, combined with an alpha-2 agonist 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. Midazolam 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 Midazolam in domestic pigeons, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Versed
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 2 mg/kg | single dose, combined with an alpha-2 agonist | 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 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1–0.5 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.219 | 0.1-0.5 mg/kg i.m. or 0.05-0.15 mg/kg i.v. (premedicant) or 2-3 mg/kg intranasal c,d. Can be combined w |
| 0.05–0.15 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.219 | 0.1-0.5 mg/kg i.m. or 0.05-0.15 mg/kg i.v. (premedicant) or 2-3 mg/kg intranasal c,d. Can be combined with butorphanol for prem |
| 2–3 | — | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part B (Exotic Pets)p.219 | 0.1-0.5 mg/kg i.m. or 0.05-0.15 mg/kg i.v. (premedicant) or 2-3 mg/kg intranasal c,d. Can be combined with butorphanol for premedication |
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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.
Enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride conductance. Provides anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation, and anticonvulsant effects.
May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
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.
Midazolam dose range in domestic pigeons, with cited source references: IM 2 mg/kg single dose, combined with an alpha-2 agonist. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Midazolam in domestic pigeons: IM.
Midazolam is indicated in domestic pigeons for: Sedation and chemical restraint for short procedures.
These are general warnings for Midazolam across species; consult the domestic pigeon dosing table above for species-specific guidance. May cause paradoxical excitement in healthy dogs when used alone. Water-soluble (less painful IM than diazepam). Respiratory depression at high doses. Flumazenil is the reversal agent.
Why a species-specific page? Midazolam 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.
| 0.1–2 | IM | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 0.1-2 mg/kg IM, IV |
| 5 | — | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 5 mg/kg intranasally |
| 7.3–8.8 | — | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th edTable 5.5 | 7.3-8.8 mg/kg intranasally |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.