Comparison of intramuscular butorphanol and buprenorphine combined with dexmedetomidine for sedation in cats

Bhalla, R. J., Trimble, T. A., Leece, E. A. and Vettorato, E. (2018) Comparison of intramuscular butorphanol and buprenorphine combined with dexmedetomidine for sedation in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20(4), pp. 325-331. (doi: 10.1177/1098612x17709612) (PMID:28548551)

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Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the sedative effect of butorphanol–dexmedetomidine with buprenorphine–dexmedetomidine following intramuscular (IM) administration in cats. Methods: Using a prospective, randomised, blinded design, 40 client-owned adult cats were assigned to receive IM dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) combined with either butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg) (‘BUT’ group) or buprenorphine (20 µg/kg) (‘BUP’ group). Sedation was scored using a previously published multidimensional composite scale before administration (T0) and 5, 10, 15 and 20 mins afterwards (T5, T10, T15 and T20, respectively). Alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg) was administered IM at T20 if the cat was not deemed adequately sedated to place an intravenous catheter. Adverse events were recorded. Friedman two-way ANOVA analysed sedation scores within groups. Mann–Whitney Rank Sum test compared sedation scores between groups; Fisher’s exact test analysed the frequency of alfaxalone administration and adverse events. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sedation scores between groups were similar at baseline, but at T5, T10, T15 and T20 scores were higher in the BUT group (P <0.01). Within both groups, sedation scores changed over time and the highest sedation scores were reached at T10. Requirement for additional sedation was similar between groups: two cats in the BUT group and five cats in the BUP group. One cat and 11 cats vomited (P = 0.002) in the BUT and BUP groups, respectively. No other adverse events were recorded. Conclusions and relevance: At these doses, IM buprenorphine–dexmedetomidine provides inferior sedation and a higher incidence of vomiting than butorphanol–dexmedetomidine in cats. Butorphanol–dexmedetomidine may be preferred for feline sedation, especially where vomiting is contraindicated.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Trimble, Toby
Authors: Bhalla, R. J., Trimble, T. A., Leece, E. A., and Vettorato, E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Publisher:SAGE
ISSN:1098-612X
ISSN (Online):1532-2750
Published Online:26 May 2017

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