Feline sedation protocals:
1. Butorphanol (0.1-0.4 mg/kg PO IV) usually provides adequate sedation for an
abdominal or cardiac exam. The typical dose is 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IV, which on its own
provides mild sedation and is often sufficient in compromised patients.
Intramuscular dosing can be performed, but provides a lesser degree of sedation
and needs to be given 15-20 minutes before the exam.
2. Acepromazine (0.01-0.03 mg/kg IV or IM) and butorphanol (0.1-0.4 mg/kg IV or
IM) or buprenorphine (20 ug/kg IM).
3. Midazolam (0.2-0.4 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (20 ug/kg IM).
4. Midazolam (0.2 mg/kg IV) and butorphanol (0.1-0.2 mg/kg IV).
5. Ketamine (2-4 mg/kg IV) and diazepam (0.2-0.3 mg/kg IV) or midazolam (0.3
mg/kg IV). This will result in a more profound sedation than the other protocols. Do
not use in cats with preexisting or suspected cardiac disease or hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy.
6. “Kitty Magic”: For a 5 kg cat, administer 0.2 ml Dexdomitor, 0.2 ml ketamine, and
0.2 ml buprenorphine IM to achieve deep sedation; use 0.1 ml IM of each medication
for light sedation. Do not use in cases of suspected cardiac disease or when an
echocardiography is required.
7. Propofol is given by IV injection. It will provide complete anesthesia, but is shortacting and can be followed by a CRI, if needed, to maintain anesthesia. Alternatively,
one can insert an endotracheal tube and administer inhalant anesthesia. One
typically resorts to the latter when trying to obtain an ultrasound-guided biopsy. If a
premedication is given, such as butorphanol or butorphanol/diazepam, then the
induction dose is 4 mg/kg IV by slow bolus. If used alone without premedication, the
dose is increased to 6 mg/kg IV. The CRI dose is 0.6 mg/kg/min. Propofol is
contraindicated in pericardial effusion or hypovolemic patients.
The above information is an excerpt from Sonopath’s ‘Curbside Guide - Getting the
most out of your sonogram’. Refer to Sonopath.com to obtain the full Curbside
Guide.
References:
Ko J. Dexmedetomidine and its injectable anesthetic-pain management
combinations. Proceedings from the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference, Atlantic
City, NJ, October 12-15, 2009.
Murrell J. Sedation protocols in cats. Proceedings from the British Small
Animal Veterinary Congress, Birmingham, England, April 12-15, 2007.
Plumb DC. Veterinary Drug Handbook, 4th Ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing
Professional; 2002.
Shaffran N. Sedation, anesthesia and pain management protocols for routine
surgeries. Proceedings from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Congress, Auckland, NZ, March 6-9, 2013.