Anesthesia for companion birds.

Avian anesthesia has advanced over the past 2 decades. A variety of inhalation and injectable anesthetics have been documented to be safe in widely diverse taxonomic groups. In addition, the ability to maintain and monitor cardiovascular and respiratory parameters within normal physiologic ranges has improved. This article emphasizes concepts and equipment that are applicable for companion avian patients typically seen in veterinary clinics; however, much of this information may also be used for wild bird anesthesia and in field conditions.