Efficacy of medetomidine hydrochloride alone and in combination with ketamine hydrochloride for surgical anesthesia in cats

Efficacy of medetomidine hcl (med-hcl) as sedative/analgesic alone and in combination with ketamine hcl (ket-hcl) was clinically evaluated during ovariohysterectomy in cats. clinically healthy cats (n=60) divided randomly into groups a,b and c (n=20 each). cats in groups were administered normal saline (control),med-hcl alone and combination of med-hcl and ket-hcl respectively. it was observed that body temperature,pulse and respiratory rates tend to decrease overall in treated cats compared to control. in group c,the onset of anesthesia was significantly shorter (p<0.05) whereas duration of recumbency and recovery prolonged in relation to other groups,suggesting superior efficacy of the combination. the analgesia and sedation scores at 15,30 45 and 60 minutes post administration indicated significantly better efficacy of med-hcl and ket-hcl combination. the effects of the anesthetic drugs on liver enzymes (serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase) and kidney functions (urea,creatinine and uric acid) were non-significant showing no harmful effects on liver and kidney functions. significant increase in the creatinine values were seen in group c. hematological parameters such as uric acid,hemoglobin,total leukocyte count,differential leukocyte count showed non-significant changes in groups b and c as compared to control,group a. no untoward effects of ket-hcl were appeared on use in combination with medetomidine. it was concluded that combination of medetomidine with ketamine is safe and effective anesthesia for feline surgical interventions. © 2015 pvj.