Why no 'caine' products? Suburan/Rural Myth or fact?

I was curious about why I see so many people posting not to use any products with topical anesthetics in them (the 'caine' products). Where does the original information come from? The more things get repeated, the more people believe them- but from whence comes the ban? Yes, if you put too much lidocaine containing lotion on a sunburned kid (or probably anything small) you can cause harm- but a bit of topical antibiotic with a numbing agent in it on a chicken, I want to know why this is bad. Is the fear just urban myth & legend, or based in some fact? Please share!

dhlunicorn has the backup material for that. Benzocaine is used to euthanize small lab animals because it shuts down the nervous system. I lost a bird after applying a wound ointment that I didn't see contained, among many natural ingredients, benzocaine. Within 5 minutes, my rooster just collapsed after application. There was no warning on the box against using it on birds, per se, just against using on animals used for meat. Also, a BYCer (forgot who) said she applied benzocaine to some show birds who had foot injuries the day of the show and in five minutes, most of the were dead or dying. She PMd this to me after my rooster died. Said the extension agent told her dad that benzocaine can be fatal to birds and mentioned the lab animals being euthanized with it.

All that said, some birds may be more susceptible to it than others and it also may depend on if it's put on broken skin or part of the body with very active blood flow, like combs and wattles. I'd say it's not worth taking the chance.

Here is some mention of it in these two places, however, Diana has the documentation for it somewhere.

I assure you this is no "urban myth" and is mentioned in several veterinary reference works ... (as the therapeutic dosage comes close to the toxic dosage >in the very few situations where I have read of -caine type med might be indicated it is always with an accompanying warning for the veterinarian) see below for one resource:

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=practical&action=display&num=1158141893
(link to thread at my library on WOUND MANAGEMENT , where you will find:
http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2003/august/Cousquer/Avian-Wound-Assessment.html
AVIAN WOUND MANAGEMENT :
....First aidTraumatised birds often have multiple injuries and may be further compromised by dehydration, malnutrition and other problems, especially if there has been a delay (hours or days) between injury and presentation [1]. Fluid and nutritional therapy and treatment for shock are critical in the early management of all traumatised birds. Overzealous wound and fracture treatment before stabilisation of the bird may prove fatal [1]. Some first aid of the wound, however, will inevitably be required.....
....Analgesia and antibiotics - broad spectrum antibiotics can be provided in the first instance: clavulanic acid potentiated amoxycillin (150mg/kg orally or subcutaneously) will provide cover against most aerobes and anaerobes. ....Local anaesthetics should not be used in birds due to the suggested sensitivity of birds to drugs of the procaine group "."

There is also a reference (warning similar to above) in one of the many articles by reknowned avian veterinarian Margaret Wissman.

Thanks! So the topical benzocaine is the main suspect, but they are possibly sensitive to the whole class. The euthanasia bath for fish and amphibians makes sense- as they absorb things through their skin readily. It is used safely for anesthesia in fish at lower concentration, but overdose is easy.
Here is a nice link with info by Dr Hawkins at the UCDavis School of Vet Med on pain management in birds. Has a summary of some of the meds in the lidocaine class- which was what I was familiar with. Lidocaine can/has been used and dosing guideline exist, but use with caution ect. I will stay away from the topicals (I have benzocaine in gel form, as well as it is in some blood stopping stypic powders- for trimming nails).
http://www.thebirdclinic.com/L13_Pain_and_Analdesia.htm

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