Sedative, hematologic and hemostatic effects of dexmedetomidine–butorphanol alone or in combination with ketamine in cats

Abstract

Acute stress induced by physical restraint can interfere with the validity of laboratory findings. Sedation could minimize such stress. However, it is not known whether sedation can affect hematologic and hemostatic parameters in cats. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hematologic and hemostatic parameters in domestic cats subjected to physical restraint in addition to one of two sedation protocols. In total, 50 cats were subjected to physical restraint and were then randomly divided into two groups of 25 animals, receiving dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) and butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg; DB group) or dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg; DBK group). The cats were assessed for acute stress, sedation level, onset of sedation and duration of sedation. Blood samples were collected after handling and after sedation. The complete blood count (CBC), platelet count, buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT), whole-blood clotting time, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) were determined for each sample, before and after chemical restraint. No statistically significant differences were found in the hematologic parameters. Certain hemostatic parameters (PT, aPTT and TT) were higher in the DB group (P <0.05). The onset of sedation was similar in the two groups, and the duration of sedation was longer in the DBK group. Both sedation protocols were effective for short-duration chemical restraint for blood collection from the studied cats, and no clinically relevant effects on hematologic or hemostatic parameters were detected.

Effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on postoperative respiratory and heart rate in cats subjected to ovariohysterectomy

“…Several clinical studies support the use of butorphanol in cats. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Butorphanol has a rapid and relatively short duration of action with a suggested analgesic effect between 45 mins and 4 h. 40 One study reported a duration of 165 mins by use of the thermal threshold method in healthy cats. 41 Pathways for thermal stimuli may, however, differ from stimuli from a surgical wound, which is why conclusions about duration of analgesic effect on surgical pain should be made cautiously.…”

Feline procedural sedation and analgesia: When, why and how

“…However, sedation scores were not different when compared with dexmedetomidine-butorphanol alone. 69 Dexmedetomidine combinations usually decrease ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and increase end-diastolic and end-systolic volume in cats. This may affect the interpretation of echocardiography results.…”

“…However, sedation scores were not different when compared with dexmedetomidine–butorphanol alone. 69…”

Hematological Parameters from the Feline Blood Donor to the Blood Unit: What Changes Are to Be Expected?

“…Several studies have reported the feasibility of different drug combinations and the effects induced by anesthetics on clinical parameters, particularly on the cardio-respiratory system [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]; in this regard, several studies have investigated the potential clinical and hematological alterations induced by sedation protocols in healthy cats, even though contradicting conclusions have sometimes been reported [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”