MIDAZOLAM AS AN ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY FOR CAPTURE MYOPATHY IN BAR-TAILED GODWITS (LIMOSA LAPPONICA BAUERI) WITH PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS Janelle M. Ward, 1,3 Brett D. Gartrell, 1 Jesse R. Conklin, 2 and Phil F. Battley 2 1 The New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand 2 Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand 3 Corresponding author (email: wildlifehealthsolutions@gmail.com) ABSTRACT: Capture myopathy is a complication of capture and handling in many species of birds and mammals. Muscular necrosis leads to ataxia, paralysis, and pain, whereas metabolic disturbances can result in death. We conducted an opportunistic clinical trial on Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) that developed capture myopathy after a cannon-net capture in New Zealand in October 2008. We assessed the beneficial effects of midazolam, a benzodiazepine with the effects of anxiolysis, muscle relaxation, and sedation, in the adjunctive treatment of capture myopathy. Physical and biochemical parameters were analyzed retro- spectively for their potential as indicators for survival until release. Birds (n516) were treated with subcutaneous fluid therapy, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (meloxicam), gavage feeding, and sling therapy twice daily. The treatment group (n58) was treated twice daily with intramuscular midazolam injections, 1.5 mg/kg. Surviving godwits were released over 1– 9 days, with 6 of 8 treated birds (75%) surviving to release, compared with 3 of 8 controls (38%). Inability to counteract weight loss in captivity was the most significant problem for both groups. Lack of waterproofing and predation were contributing causes of death for at least two godwits after release. Birds treated with midazolam showed subjective benefits including improved tolerance of handling and sling therapy. Clinical parameters (change in body mass, packed cell volume [PCV], plasma creatine kinase [CK], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total protein, and uric acid [UA] over time) were not statistically different between groups, although peak average values for CK, AST, and UA were lower in the treatment group. Decline in body mass (%), PCV, final plasma UA, and peak plasma CK were the most useful prognostic indicators. Midazolam shows potential as an ancillary treatment for capture myopathy in birds and is worthy of continued study and use. Key words: Bar-tailed Godwit, benzodiazepine, cannon-net, capture myopathy, Limosa lapponica, midazolam, prognostic indicators, treatment. INTRODUCTION Capture myopathy (CM), also known as exertional myopathy (Williams and Thorne, 1996), is a complication of capture and handling in many species of wild mammals and birds. The stress, struggling, and exertion due to pursuit and capture is thought to create a physiologic cascade with hyperthermia, anaerobic glycolysis, meta- bolic acidosis, reduced tissue perfusion, and hypoxia (Spraker, 1993), resulting in myo- cellular necrosis in cardiac and skeletal muscles (Williams and Thorne, 1996). Reduced muscle function leads to ataxia, weakness, and partial or complete paralysis. Renal failure, circulatory collapse, and death may occur in severe cases (Williams and Thorne, 1996). Some animals appear to recover, only to die suddenly days or weeks later following a further stressful or exertive event (Spraker, 1993). Leakage of cellular enzymes from damaged muscle tissue into the blood stream causes serum analytes to become elevated, particularly creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which are thus used as indicators of myocellular damage related to CM (Bol- linger et al., 1989). Creatine kinase is reported to be the most useful indicator of muscle damage in birds (Franson et al., 1985) and mammals (Cardinet, 1989); however, the correlation between these enzyme values and overt clinical Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 47(4), 2011, pp. 925–935 # Wildlife Disease Association 2011 925