title: Evaluation of the influence of atipamezole on the postoperative analgesic effect of buprenorphine in cats undergoing a surgical ovariohysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of atipamezole on postoperative pain scores in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled, randomized, masked clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy female domestic cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cats admitted for ovariohysterectomy (OVH) surgery were randomly allocated to group atipamezole (n = 6) or group saline (n = 6) and were premedicated with buprenorphine 20 μg kg(-1) intramuscularly (IM) and alfaxalone 3.0 mg kg(-1) subcutaneously (SC). Anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone intravenously (IV) to effect and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Ten minutes after extubation, cats from group atipamezole received IM atipamezole (0.0375 mg kg(-1) ) whereas group saline received an equivalent volume [0.0075 mL kg(-1) (0.003 mL kg(-1) IM)] of 0.9% saline. A validated multidimensional composite scale was used to assess pain prior to premedication and postoperatively (20 minutes after extubation). If postoperative pain scores dictated, rescue analgesia consisting of buprenorphine and meloxicam were administered. Pain score comparisons were made between the two groups using a Mann-Whitney exact test. Results are reported as the median and range.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperatively, all cats scored 0. At the postoperative pain evaluation, the pain scores from group atipamezole [16 (range, 12-20)] were not significantly different from group saline [18 (range, 15-23)] (p = 0.28). All cats required rescue analgesia post-operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atipamezole (0.0375 mg kg(-1) IM) administration did not significantly affect the postoperative pain scores in cats after OVH. Preoperative administration of buprenorphine (20 μg kg(-1) IM) did not provide adequate postoperative analgesia for feline OVH.
authors: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs) Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
authors: Leon N
authors: LN
authors: Warne
authors: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs) Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
authors: Thierry
authors: T
authors: Beths
authors: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs) Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
authors: Jennifer E
authors: JE
authors: Carter
authors: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs) Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
authors: Ted
authors: T
authors: Whittem
authors: Translational Research and Clinical Trials (TRACTs) Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic., Australia.
authors: Sébastien H
authors: SH
authors: Bauquier
mesh_terms: D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002415:Cats; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000662:veterinary*; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D007093:Imidazoles; D011277:Pregnanediones; C050701:atipamezole; D002047:Buprenorphine; C006477:alphaxalone
keywords: analgesia; atipamezole; buprenorphine; cats; ovariohysterectomy; pain