Injectable anaesthesia for adult cat and kitten castration: effects of medetomidine, dexmedetomidine and atipamezole on recovery.
Objectives Rapid recovery from injectable anaesthesia benefits cat shelter neutering programmes. The effects of medetomidine, dexmedetomidine and atipamezole on recovery were evaluated in adult cats and kittens (⩽6 months old). Methods One hundred healthy male cats (age range 2-66 months, weight range 0.7-5.3 kg) admitted forneutering were randomly allocated to groups of 25. Anaesthesia was induced with 60 mg/m2ketamine, 180 µg/m2buprenorphine, 3 mg/m2midazolam and either 600 µg/m2medetomidine (groups M and MA) or 300 µg/m2dexmedetomidine (groups D and DA) intramuscularly (IM). Groups MA and DA also received 1.5 mg/m2atipamezole IM after 40 mins. Preparation time, surgical time, and times to sternal recumbency and standing were recorded. Data were analysed using the Kruskall-Wallis test, unpaired t-tests and ANOVA. Statistical significance was deemed to be P ⩽0.05. Results Groups did not differ significantly in age, body weight, preparation or surgical time. The time to sternal recumbency in group MA (64 ± 34 mins) was less than in group M (129 ± 32 mins), and in group DA it was less than in group D (54 ± 6 mins vs 110 ± 27 mins) ( P <0.001). There were no differences in duration of recovery to sternal recumbency between groups M and D or MA and DA. The time to standing in group MA (79 ± 51 mins) was less than in group M (150 ± 38 mins) ( P <0.001), and in group DA it was less than in group D (70 ± 22 mins vs 126 ± 27 mins) ( P <0.01). Time to standing in group D (126 ± 27 mins) was less than in group M (150 ± 38 mins) (P <0.05). Time to standing in groups DA and MA were not different. Kittens recovered faster than adults after atipamezole. Minimal adverse effects were seen. Conclusions and relevance Atipamezole reliably reduced recovery time after anaesthesia incorporating either dexmedetomidine or medetomidine; however, the choice of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine had little effect. Recovery was faster in kittens.
1 Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Neston, UK.
Natalie
N
Bruniges
2 Taylor Monroe, Gravel Head Farm, Ely, UK.
Polly M
PM
Taylor
3 RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, Salford, UK.
David
D
Yates
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D020926:Medetomidine