Clinical evaluation of alfaxalone to induce and maintain anaesthesia in cats undergoing neutering procedures

Abstract

This study looked at the use and efficacy of alfaxalone for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in cats. Following intramuscular medetomidine (20 μg/kg) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg) premedication, anaesthesia was induced and maintained with intravenous alfaxalone. Patients were breathing 100% oxygen. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), end-tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation of haemoglobin and indirect arterial blood pressure via Doppler (DAP) were recorded every 5 mins. Thirty-four cats (10 males and 24 females), between the age of 6 and 18 months, and weighing between 1.8 and 5.3 kg, and undergoing neutering procedures were included in this study. The results are presented as median (min, max) values. The time to first spontaneous movement (TS) was >30 mins in 19 cats, of which 12 received atipamezole for reversal of the effects of medetomidine. The TS was 53 (43, 130) mins in these 12 cats and 50 (40, 72) mins in the other seven cats. The body temperature in those 19 cats was significantly lower than the other cats (P = 0.05). The alfaxalone induction dose and maintenance infusion rate were1.7 (0.7, 3.0) mg/kg and 0.18 (0.06, 0.25) mg/kg/min, respectively. The HR, RR and DAP were 145 (68, 235) beats/min, 17 (5, 40) breaths/min and 110 (58, 210) mmHg, respectively. Apnoea was not observed in any cat. In conclusion, alfaxalone TIVA in combination with medetomidine and morphine premedication was effective in feral and domestic cats for the performance of neutering surgery; low body temperature might have resulted in longer recoveries in some cats.

Clinical efficacy and cardiorespiratory effects of intramuscular administration of alfaxalone alone or in combination with dexmedetomidine in cats

“…In the present study, apnoea was not observed in any case. It has been described that post-induction apnoea is an uncommon finding when alfaxalone is administered IV to young and adult cats (Zaki et al 2009;O'Hagan et al 2012;Beths et al 2014). Similarly to our study, apnoea has not been reported after IM administration of alfaxalone in combination with dexmedetomidine in cats (Grubb et al 2013).…”

“…; Beths et al. ). Similarly to our study, apnoea has not been reported after IM administration of alfaxalone in combination with dexmedetomidine in cats (Grubb et al.…”

Clinical effect of a constant rate infusion of alfaxalone in isoflurane-anesthetized goats undergoing an experimental procedure: a pilot study

“…Dose-dependent decrease in systolic arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance, due to a vasodilatory effect, have previously been reported after clinical and supraclinical induction doses of alfaxalone in dogs and cats (Muir et al, 2008;Muir et al,, 2009). Furthermore, alfaxalone administered in either boluses or CRI for TIVA may cause hypotension in cats (Beths et al, 2014;Schwarz et al, 2014). However, either no side effects or minimal changes in the hemodynamic parameters have been shown after alfaxalone CRI in dogs (Ambros et al, 2008) and horses (Goodwin et al, 2018).…”

Comparison of the effects of propofol or alfaxalone for anaesthesia induction and maintenance on respiration in cats

“…; Beths et al. ), but no direct comparison of the two drugs can be found in the literature. The main difference between these agents seems to be the effect on respiration.…”

“…Alfaxalone and propofol have both been used for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in cats (Andress et al 1995;Liehmann et al 2006;Muir et al 2009;Beths et al 2014), but no direct comparison of the two drugs can be found in the literature. The main difference between these agents seems to be the effect on respiration.…”