title: Application of fast-track surgery principles to evaluate effects of atipamezole on recovery and analgesia following ovariohysterectomy in cats anesthetized with dexmedetomidine-ketamine-hydromorphone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of atipamezole hydrochloride on recovery and analgesia following ovariohysterectomy in cats anesthetized with a dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, ketamine hydrochloride, and hydromorphone hydrochloride combination, in accordance with fast-track surgery principles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  44 cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cats were anesthetized with a combination of dexmedetomidine (15 μg/kg [6.8 μg/lb]), ketamine (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb]), and hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg [0.023 mg/lb]), IM, supplemented with isoflurane in oxygen. Immediately after ovariohysterectomy, cats received meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg [0.09 mg/lb]) SC and either atipamezole (75 μg/kg [34.1 μg/lb]) or an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution IM. Pain and sedation were scored at baseline (prior to surgery) and at predetermined intervals after surgery. Time to sternal recumbency was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The atipamezole group recovered to sternal recumbency faster (median, 15 minutes; range, 5 to 60 minutes) than the saline solution group (median, 60 minutes; range, 15 to 90 minutes]). Pain scores did not differ between groups or at any time, compared with baseline, and were below the intervention threshold for most cats. Sedation scores were significantly greater in the saline solution group (median, 0; range, 0 to 2) at 2 hours after surgery, compared with the atipamezole group (median, 0; range, 0 to 0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicated that administration of atipamezole, compared with saline solution, allowed for a faster recovery from anesthesia with dexmedetomidine-ketamine-hydromorphone in cats following ovariohysterectomy without compromising analgesia. These findings have implications for the provision of appropriate postoperative analgesia following ovariohysterectomy in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hasiuk
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.forename: Daniel S J
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000601:surgery*; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004091:Hydromorphone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D007649:Ketamine; D004091:Hydromorphone