title: A randomized, blinded, controlled trial of the antiemetic effect of ondansetron on dexmedetomidine-induced emesis in cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of ondansetron on the incidence of vomiting in cats pre-medicated with dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, blinded, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine female domestic shorthair cats, aged 3-60 months (median, 12 months) and weighing 1.2-5.1 kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each cat received dexmedetomidine (40 μg kg(-1)) plus buprenorphine (20 μg kg(-1)), intramuscularly as pre-anesthetic medication. Cats were assigned to three treatment groups: ondansetron (0.22 mg kg(-1), intramuscular [IM]), either 30 minutes before the pre-anesthetic medication (ONDA group, n = 31) or with the pre-anesthetic medication (OPM group, n = 30) mixed with the pre-anesthetic medications in the same syringe, or not to receive the antiemetic (control group, n = 28). Emesis was recorded as an all-or-none response. The number of episodes of emesis and the time until onset of the first emetic episode were recorded for each cat. Clinical signs of nausea were recorded whenever they occurred, and a numerical rating scale was used to quantify these signs. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square test; a Bonferroni correction was made for six comparisons; thus, the two-sided p for significance was 0.05/6 = 0.008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in the number of cats vomiting, in the episodes of vomiting/cat, the time elapsed between the premedication and the first vomiting and the severity of nausea in the OPM group compared to the ONDA and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cats, the administration of ondansetron (0.22 mg kg(-1)) ameliorates and reduced the severity of dexmedetomidine-induced nausea and vomiting only when it was administered in association with this drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401, USA. ls522@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Luiz Cesar P
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ludders
authors.forename: Hollis N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Erb
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin-Flores
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Basher
authors.forename: Pati
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kirch
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000932:Antiemetics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D002047:Buprenorphine; D017294:Ondansetron; D020927:Dexmedetomidine