This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of rocuronium bromide as mydriatic agent in domestic pigeons (Columba livia). This study was done in two phases. In the first phase, rocuronium bromide (0.20 mg/20 µl) was topically instilled to the right eye (OD) of eight domestic pigeons. Pupil diameter was measured before instillation (T0), and at 5 (T05) and 10 (T10) min after instillation, and every 10 min thereafter until 160 (T160) min. Pupillary light reflex (PLR) was assessed using a scoring system at the same time points. In the second phase, the same dosage was instilled twice in the span of 10 min into both eyes (OU) of four pigeons (eight eyes). Measurements were done accordingly. The iris color in the first phase were: gravel, pearl and bull eye. All irises in the second phase were bull eye. Mydriasis were observed in 6/8 (75%) pigeons in the first phase. Maximal mydriasis was observed at T30 (mean pupil diameter=4.62 ± 0.13 mm). Pupil diameter in the treated eye was significantly different from contralateral eye and from T0 since T05 (P=0.017 and P=0.006, respectively)-T120 (P=0.043 and P=0.044, respectively). PLR was disappeared from T10 (P=0.034) to T90 (P=0.041). In the second phase, mydriasis was only observed in 2/8 eyes. This study suggested that rocuronium bromide was able to produce mydriasis in pigeons other than bull eye iris.
Keywords: Columba livia; iris color; mydriasis; pigeon; rocuronium bromide.