Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the comparative effects of chlorpromazine, diazepam and xylazine in achieving analgesia and deep sedation in the Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Nine apparently healthy adult guinea fowls of mixed sex (male and female) weighing between 0.65 to 1.15 kg were used in the study. The birds were randomly assigned to three groups of three birds each. Three dose range of diazepam (1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg), chlorpromazine (5 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg and 9 mg/kg) and xylazine (1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg) were intramuscularly administered to the birds in different groups. The experiments were conducted in three batches with interval gap of two weeks after each batch to enable the body systems of the birds get rid of the earlier administered drug. The onset of drug action, duration of analgesia and degree of sedation were recorded. Physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature were also measured before the treatment (pre-sedation value, t = 0 minute) and subsequently at ten minutes intervals following the onset of the action of the drugs till full recovery of the birds. Results showed that diazepam and xylazine caused dose-dependent analgesia, sedation and depression of the physiologic parameters. Xylazine was potent at all its three doses and caused deep sedation and sleep with analgesia at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. In contrast, chlorpromazine caused dose-dependent excitement and elevation of the physiological parameters. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that, to achieve analgesia and sedation in the Guinea fowl, xylazine should be considered as the first drug of choice among the three studied, followed by diazepam.

Keywords: Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris); Analgesia; Sedation; Chlorpromazine; Diazepam; Xylazine.

How to cite this article:
Ukwueze CO, Ukwueze IJ, Ibom RO and Nweze EC (2026). Comparative evaluation of the sedative and analgesic effects of chlorpromazine, diazepam and xylazine in the Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 16(2): 1560 – 1572.

*Correspondence: E-mail: ukwueze.okwudili@mouau Phone: +2348060126576

Comparative evaluation of the sedative and analgesic effects of chlorpromazine, diazepam and xylazine in the Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Celestine O. Ukwueze^{1 *}, Ifunanya J. Ukwueze², Rachael O. Ibom ¹ and Ernest C. Nweze ²
¹Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.