Comparison of four regimens for intraoral administration of medication to induce sedation in cats prior to euthanasia.

To compare 4 regimens for intraoral administration of medication to induce sedation in cats prior to euthanasia. Prospective randomized clinical study. 36 cats. Cats were assigned to 4 groups (9 cats/group). Cats in each group were given the following medications: group 1, detomidine (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb] of body weight); group 2, ketamine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb]); group 3, detomidine (0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (5 mg/kg); and group 4, detomidine (0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb]). All medications were administered by squirting the drug or drug combination into the mouth of a cat, using a syringe or, for intractable cats, a remote delivery device. Cats were evaluated for degree of sedation at 3-minute intervals for 60 minutes. Of the 9 cats in group 1, 7 assumed lateral recumbency. Mean (+/- SD) interval from administration of medication to lateral recumbency was 15 +/- 3 minutes. For group-2 cats, 1 cat achieved sternal recumbency (sternally recumbent and unable to stand), whereas the remaining 8 cats achieved mild to moderate degrees of sedation. For group 3, 6 of 9 cats assumed lateral recumbency (mean, 16.5 +/- 3.7 minutes). For group 4, all 9 cats assumed lateral recumbency (mean, 17 +/- 8 minutes). Analysis of results of this study indicated that a combination of detomidine (0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg) administered intraorally provide an effective and reliable method for sedating cats.