Effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables in healthy cats

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic variables, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy cats. Methods Client-owned domestic cats between 2 and 8 years of age were recruited. Cats were considered healthy based on physical examination, complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, urinalysis, total thyroxine concentration, non-invasive BP measurement by Doppler method and a screening transthoracic echocardiogram with simultaneous electrocardiogram. Echocardiographic variables assessed pre-trazodone and 90–120 mins post-trazodone (50 mg PO) included left ventricular internal diameter in systole and diastole, interventricular septal and left ventricular free-wall thickness in systole and diastole, left atrial size, left auricular function and left ventricular diastolic function assessed by spectral Doppler transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities, and tissue Doppler profiles. Mean echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables were calculated for pre- and post-trazodone examinations for each cat. Pre- and post-trazodone variables were analyzed with a paired t-test with significance set at P <0.05. Results Twelve healthy cats were evaluated. Trazodone was administered to all cats and a sedative effect was observed. There were no clinically significant differences in any echocardiographic variables post-trazodone administration. Systolic BP was significantly decreased after trazodone ( P = 0.001) with no significant change in HR. Conclusions and relevance Trazodone did not alter echocardiographic variables, in a clinically relevant manner, in this group of healthy cats. Trazodone may aid in obtaining transthoracic echocardiograms without affecting HR or echocardiographic variables but may significantly lower BP in healthy cats.

The effects of orally administered trazodone on ambulation and recumbency in healthy horses

“…Trazodone administered PO has been reported to cause excitability in horses, but in those studies, the relationship between trazodone and the observed behavioral changes also could not be clearly determined 7 . Of note, trazodone often is used in dogs and cats to minimize anxiety associated with veterinary visits and medical procedures, and the excitability seen in 1 horse in our study as well as in previous reports could represent an idiosyncratic response to the drug 12,15 …”

“…7 Of note, trazodone often is used in dogs and cats to minimize anxiety associated with veterinary visits and medical procedures, and the excitability seen in 1 horse in our study as well as in previous reports could represent an idiosyncratic response to the drug. 12,15 F I G U R E 4 Plasma trazodone and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) concentrations in healthy adult horses (n = 8) after multiple PO doses of trazodone hydrochloride at either 2.5 mg/kg q12 (A) or 7.5 mg/kg q12 (B).…”

Evaluation of the effects of gabapentin on the physiologic and echocardiographic variables of healthy cats: a prospective, randomized and blinded study

“…According to previous studies, other sedatives cause considerable hemodynamic alterations that hinder correct interpretation of the physiologic and echocardiographic variables. [14][15][16][17][18] One study suggested that a combination of butorphanol and ketamine resulted in a significant increase in HR. Moreover, a combination of butorphanol and acepromazine leads to a significant decrease in SBP.…”

“…16 However, if butorphanol is administered alone, it only provides light sedation, 17 which would be ineffective in overly nervous and scared cats. A recent study evaluated the effects of oral trazodone before the assessment of physiologic and echocardiographic variables, 18 and did not reveal alterations in echocardiographic rates, although SBP decreased significantly. The present study demonstrated the benefits of administering gabapentin as an anxiolytic before the assessment of physiologic and echocardiographic variables.…”

Adverse effects of trazodone in dogs on primary hemostasis and electrocardiogram: A single‐blinded placebo‐controlled crossover study

“…Trazodone hydrochloride is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor commonly used in small animals as an adjunctive treatment for behavioral disorders and management of anxiety during hospitalization and after operative confinement 1‐4 . Trazodone is an effective sedative in cats 5,6 . Adverse effects associated with the oral administration of trazodone in small animals are generally mild.…”