Brachial plexus block in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) using a peripheral nerve stimulator with different doses of lidocaine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2025v46n3p665Keywords:
Anesthesia, Birds of prey, Regional blockade, Falcon.Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy of different lidocaine doses for brachial plexus anesthetic blockade in Falco sparverius using a peripheral nerve stimulator. The objective was to assess the motor response of the wings and the latency to loss of motor function after the blockade. Eight healthy birds, rescued from the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of UFPEL, were divided into two groups to receive either 6 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of 2% lidocaine. Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane before lidocaine was applied to the brachial plexus, with the correct site determined via nerve stimulation. None of the birds achieved complete motor blockade, although two exhibited partial wing drooping. Sensory evaluation was limited by inconsistent responses to the von Frey electronic analgesic, hindering comparisons of baseline pain values. The volume of anesthetic diluted in 0.9% NaCl appeared to influence the results, as birds receiving larger volumes showed some motor response, unlike those given smaller volumes. These findings suggest that achieving motor blockade with lidocaine in small birds of prey like F. sparverius may be challenging using the tested doses and volumes and that the anesthetic volume is likely a determining factor for successful blockade. Future studies should incorporate sensory parameters as criteria for anesthetic success and further investigate the safe and effective dosages of local anesthetics in this species.
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