EFFECTS OF THE COMBINATION OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND METHADONE ON SEDATION IN CATS WITH AND WITHOUT THE USE OF ATIPAMEZOLE
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the sedative effects, physiological parameters, and glycemic profile of cats submitted to a sedation protocol consisting of dexmedetomidine (4mcg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg), comparing the efficacy and safety between groups with or without atipamezole reversal. Ten healthy, male cats, aged 1 to 5 years and weighing between 2 kg and 4 kg, were used. The animals underwent a 2-hour water fast and a 12-hour food fast. Heart rate, electrocardiography, blood pressure, and blood glucose were measured, in addition to determining latency and recovery times. Assessments were performed at T0, T10, T20, T30, T40 and, when applicable, T50 and T60. No immediate adverse reactions were observed following preanesthetic medication administration. All animals exhibited post-drug bradycardia, with a significant reduction in heart rate by T10, and no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.81). Regarding cardiac rhythm, a sinus rhythm was observed at T0, which evolved to sinus arrhythmia from T10 onwards in all animals, persisting throughout the observation period. No serious complications or critical hemodynamic instabilities resulting from the protocol were recorded. The dexmedetomidine-methadone protocol proved safe for the pharmacological restraint of healthy cats. Under the established experimental conditions, the use of atipamezole was not found to be mandatory, as the observed physiological changes were self-limiting and no atrioventricular blocks or other clinically relevant complications were identified.
Author Biographies
Undergraduate student in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Undergraduate student in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Postgraduate student at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Undergraduate student in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Undergraduate student in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Western Bahia (UFOB).
Professor at UNEB–Barreiras.
PhD, Professor at the Federal University of Western Bahia.
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