The possibility of using tiletamine-zolazepam for sedation during oral administration in dogs and cats: literature review

Abstract

The review presents the results of three studies of the use of tiletamine-zolazepam for sedation during oral administration in dogs and cats.
 Study 1. Objective: to study the sedative effect of the combination of tiletamine-zolazepam-acepromazine (TZA) or ketamine-flunitrazepam (CF) in dogs with oral administration, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the capsule form of TZA in stray dogs. In a pilot study, 6 dogs were administered a liquid form of TZA (20 mg/kg tiletamine-zolazepam and 2 mg/kg acepromazine) or a liquid form of CF (50 mg/kg ketamine and 2 mg/kg flunitrazepam) orally. Sedation was evaluated in points. On average, the time interval from the introduction of MAL to the adoption of the animal side position was: protocol 1 (infusion of the drug into the mouth) — 47.5 (35...80) minutes (67 % of dogs); protocol 2 (addition of the capsule form to the canned food) — 30 (15...65) minutes (83 %), protocol 3 (addition of the liquid form of the drug in gravy) — 75 (45...110) minutes (100 %). None of the dogs in the CF group in protocols 2 and 3 took a side position. Based on these results, 20 stray dogs received encapsulated MAL: TZ (20 mg/kg) and acepromazine (2 mg/kg). Overall, 63 % of the stray dogs in the experiment were caught after eating a double dose of MAL. Oral administration of encapsulated MAL added to the canned food allows you to catch stray dogs, but it may require the use of additional drugs. The time from the introduction of TZA to the development of sedation in animals and the taste of the drug affect the percentage of capture.
 Study 2. The purpose of the study is to study the possibility of oral administration of the drug «Zoletil» to cats. 8 healthy cats, females and males, aged from 2 to 4 years, were selected. «Zoletil-50» was used in the form of a sterile lyophilizate prepared in the form of a solution with water for injection in doses from 15 to 25 mg/kg. After administration of the drug, hemodynamic parameters, sedation, and the possibility of endotrachial intubation were evaluated. After oral administration, the effect of sedation developed quite quickly. When administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg, intubation and minor surgical interventions were possible. A dose of 15 mg / kg caused only sedation. It is advisable to use «Zoletil» in the form of a powder with a pleasant taste.
 Study 3. Objective: to assess the quality of sedation, changes in SAD, heart rate and BH in TB administration of TK to healthy cats. Healthy, sterilized European shorthair cats (n=7; 3 males, 4 females) were included in a randomized, blind, cross-sectional study. Each cat received two doses of tiletamine-diazepam TB: 5 mg / kg (LD) and 7.5 mg/kg (HD) of each drug. TB administration of tiletamine-zolazepam in the studied doses is a simple and effective method of pharmacological fixation of cats, while LD has less effect on SAD and BH than HD.