Evaluation of the induction and recovery characteristics of anesthesia with desflurane in cats.
OBJECTIVE
To qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the characteristics of desflurane with regard to the induction of and recovery from anesthesia in cats.


METHODS
6 cats.


METHODS
Anesthesia was induced and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. Individual minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) values were determined; anesthesia was maintained at 1.25 x MAC for a total anesthesia time (including MAC determination) of 5 hours. Cats were allowed to recover from anesthesia. Induction and recovery periods were video recorded and later scored by use of a grading scale from 0 to 100 (100 being the best outcome). Timing of events was recorded.


RESULTS
The MAC of desflurane was 10.27 +/- 1.06%, and mean dose was 5.6 +/- 0.2 MAC-hours. Times to loss of coordination, recumbency, and endotracheal intubation were 1.3 +/- 0.4, 2.3 +/- 0.3, and 6.4 +/- 1.1 minutes, respectively. Median score for quality of anesthetic induction was 93 (range, 91 to 94). Times to first movement, extubation, standing, and ability to jump and land with coordination were 2.8 +/- 1.0, 3.8 +/- 0.5, 14.3 +/- 3.9, and 26.4 +/- 5.1 minutes, respectively. Alveolar washout of desflurane was rapid. Median score for quality of anesthetic recovery was 94 (range, 86 to 96).


CONCLUSIONS
Desflurane was associated with rapid induction of and recovery from anesthesia in cats; assessors rated the overall quality of induction and recovery as excellent. Results appear to support the use of desflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in healthy cats.
Barter
Linda S
LS
Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Ilkiw
Janet E
JE
Pypendop
Bruno H
BH
Steffey
Eugene P
EP
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077335:Desflurane; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording
D000777:Anesthetics; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane