Abstract
Objective
To assess quality of sedation following intramuscular (IM) injection of two doses
of alfaxalone in combination with butorphanol in cats.
Study design
Prospective, randomized, ‘blinded’ clinical study.
Animals
A total of 38 cats undergoing diagnostic imaging or noninvasive procedures.
Methods
Cats were allocated randomly to be administered butorphanol 0.2 mg kg−1 combined with alfaxalone 2 mg kg−1 (group AB2) or 5 mg kg−1 (group AB5) IM. If sedation was inadequate, alfaxalone 2 mg kg−1 IM was administered and cats were excluded from further analysis. Temperament [1
(friendly) to 5 (aggressive)], response to injection, sedation score at 2, 6, 8, 15,
20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes, overall sedation quality scored after data collection
[1 (excellent) to 4 (inadequate)] and recovery quality were assessed. Heart rate (HR),
respiratory rate (fR) and arterial haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) were recorded every 5 minutes. Groups were compared using t tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. Sedation was analysed using two-way anova, and additional alfaxalone using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05).
Results
Groups were similar for sex, age, body mass and response to injection. Temperament
score was lower in group AB2 [2 (1–3)] compared to AB5 [3 (1–5)] (p = 0.006). Group AB5 had better sedation at 6, 8, 20 and 30 minutes and overall sedation
quality was better in AB5 [1 (1–3)], compared to AB2 [3 (1–4)] (p = 0.0001). Additional alfaxalone was required for 11 cats in AB2 and two in AB5 (p = 0.005). Recovery quality, HR, fR and SpO2 were similar. Seven cats required oxygen supplementation. Complete recovery times
were shorter in AB2 (81.8 ± 24.3 versus 126.6 ± 33.3 minutes; p = 0.009). Twitching was the most common adverse event.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
In combination with butorphanol, IM alfaxalone at 5 mg kg−1 provided better quality sedation than 2 mg kg−1. Monitoring of SpO2 is recommended.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 05, 2017
Accepted:
May 18,
2016
Received:
February 17,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
