As with any animal, the use of analgesia in backyard poultry is extremely important. Unfortunately for veterinary staff birds are incredibly stoic and often do not show signs of pain/illness until the condition is severe. Signs of pain in poultry can include:

  • A lack of typical behaviors such as dust bathing, crowing (in cockerels), preening and scratching around in bedding
  • Affected birds may be hunched up with ruffled feathers
  • Birds may be reluctant to move and may be reluctant to weight bear on an affected leg
  • A reluctance to feed
  • Resent palpation of an injured area

Irrespective of whether or not there are clear signs of pain in a backyard patient, analgesia should be provided as per mammalian patients.

 

Opoids

Butorphanol- Unlike other opoids Butorphanol has a more significant effect on K receptors rather than on µ receptors. Since birds have an abundance of k receptors Butorphanol can provide a better choice of opoid-based pain relief than other opoids.

There are several studies that have looked at the use of Butorphanol in birds as an analgesic. Whilst the recommended dose rates vary from 0.5mg/Kg to 2mg/Kg, it ought to be remembered that, in birds, Butorphanol has a much shorter half life and will need to be topped up more frequently than in mammals. Recommendations vary between every 4 and 24 hours but some studies have shown that the necessary plasma concentrations may only last as little as every 2 hours. The route of administration can be: I.M., I.V. or S.C.

Tramadol- Whilst the use of Tramadol has not been as extensively researched as Butorphanol, it has been has been demonstrated to be of use when given orally at 5mg/Kg twice daily to provide analgesia.

 

NSAIDS- As in many species the use of NSAIDS is often a vets first line of defense in providing pain relief in birds. However as with mammals their side effects on the gastric system, renal system and hepatic system must not be forgotten.

Carprofen- Carprofen has been well documented in its use as an analgesic in birds  including a study on lame broiler chickens. However the recommended dose rates vary considerably. The majority of papers recommend 4mg/Kg once or twice daily.

Ketofen- Ketofen has been demonstrated to have analgesic effects on ducks at 5mg/Kg I.M. However another study has described the minimum dose of Ketofen required as being much higher to the point whereby it may be fatal.

Meloxicam- Meloxicam is widely used in other pets and can be used in birds too. As with  the other NSAIDs discussed above the dose rate and frequency varies between 0.1mg/Kg and 0.5mg/Kg every 12-24 hours.

Aspirin- Franvet produce an Aspirin product licensed for poultry in France that is recommended to be given at 30-50mg/Kg orally daily (this can be split into two doses).

 

Corticosteroids- Steroids can be used to reduce inflammation in avian patients just as in mammalian ones, however as in mammals they may lead to slower wound healing and immuno-suppression. As such NSAIDS and Butorphanol are better first line approaches to pain relief in birds. Documented dose rates are given below:

Betamethasone- 0.04mg/Kg

Dexmethasone- 0.06mg/Kg

Prednisolone- 2mg/Kg

 

Local Anesthetics- Local anesthetics are useful for procedures such as crop surgery.

Lidocaine- 1-4mg/Kg I.M. or S.C.

Bupivacaine- 1-2mg/Kg I.M. or S.C.

 

Please note that the above dose rates and frequencies of administration are only approximate guidelines as there are no licensed analgesics for domestic fowl in the UK.