Metoclopramide does not enhance upper gastrointestinal motility in clinically healthy pigeons (Columba livia domestica) or those with sedation-induced functional ileus.

Metoclopramide at 2 mg/kg IM does not provide prokinetic effects in conscious or sedated pigeons.

This randomized, complete crossover study evaluated whether metoclopramide (2 mg/kg IM) exerts prokinetic effects on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in clinically healthy pigeons (Columba livia domestica) under conscious and sedated conditions. Twelve adult pigeons were assigned to four treatment groups: conscious control (saline), conscious treatment (saline + metoclopramide), sedated control (butorphanol/midazolam + saline), and sedated treatment (butorphanol/midazolam + metoclopramide). Oral barium sulfate was administered, and serial fluoroscopic cine loops were recorded at set intervals. Outcomes included contrast transit time and contraction frequency across the crop, proventriculus, ventriculus, and small intestines. Sedation with butorphanol and midazolam significantly prolonged GI transit times and reduced contraction frequency, confirming a model of functional ileus. However, metoclopramide did not improve transit times or contraction frequency in either conscious or sedated birds compared to their respective control groups. One bird experienced a single regurgitation episode requiring no intervention. These findings suggest that metoclopramide, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist commonly used as a prokinetic in mammals, does not exert meaningful prokinetic effects in pigeons, potentially due to species-specific differences in GI dopaminergic receptor distribution or pharmacodynamics. Clinicians should exercise caution when extrapolating mammalian prokinetic protocols to columbiform birds and consider investigating alternative prokinetic agents for avian patients.

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