Nerve stimulator-guided sciatic nerve block in a cockerel (Gallus gallus domesticus) for a bone marrow biopsy

A cockerel (Gallus gallus domesticus) was presented for lameness investigation. A CT scan of the left leg and a bone marrow biopsy were planned. Both procedures were performed under general anaesthesia and, before the biopsy was performed, a sciatic nerve block was achieved with levobupivacaine 0.5% (0.75 mg/kg), aided by an electrical nerve locator. The nerve was located through a lateral approach, with a motor response to stimulation similar to that described in mammals. The efficacy of the block was assessed as satisfactory during the procedure. Postoperatively, the pain was subjectively assessed, but no pain scales were employed, as none are validated for birds. No iatrogenic complications occurred; therefore, this nerve block could be considered as a part of a multimodal approach to perioperative pain management.