Behavior
Use of oral trazodone for sedation in Cats

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asams.2018.01.002Get rights and content

Section snippets

Background

The latest census on pets in the United States shows that only half of all owned cats receive annual veterinary care, a decrease of 13.5% since 2006. One of the major factors contributing to this decline is cats' resistance to transportation and examination. Many cats struggle against being placed in their carriers and may even become aggressive to their owners. After the combined stressors of confinement and transportation, cats can be in a state of high arousal or anxiety, increasing the

Objectives

To determine the safety and efficacy of oral trazodone for use as a sedative and anxiolytic agent in cats.

Procedure

Six laboratory cats were given single 50, 75, and 100 mg doses of trazodone and placebo. Trazodone 100 mg and placebo treatments were randomized. Pre- and post-study laboratory values and physical examinations were compared. During each 4 h period post-treatment, sedation was measured via accelerometers and video observations scored by an observer blinded to treatment. Examinations were performed on the cats 90 minutes after treatment, and their behavioral responses were scored by the same

Results

No adverse effects or changes in physical examinations or laboratory values were detected as a result of trazodone administration. Accelerometer data showed trazodone doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg caused sedation as measured by activity reduction (83%, 46%, and 66%, respectively). In contrast, there was a 14% activity increase after placebo. There was a significant reduction in video observation scores when cats were given trazodone 100 mg compared with placebo. Mean latency to peak sedation for

Author Conclusions

Trazodone was well tolerated in this population of laboratory cats at single oral doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg. No adverse behavioral or physiological effects were observed. Compared with placebo, trazodone (100 mg) produced significant sedation as measured by decreased activity. Peak sedation was noted between 2 and 2.5 h after oral trazodone administration in food. Cats exhibited the greatest sedative effect when given the 50 mg dose, but as this was the first dose given, an order effect could

Inclusions

Five figures, 30 references.

Editor Annotation

Trazodone is used commonly in dogs to calm or sedate for veterinary visits and travel. Veterinarians may be less likely to use trazodone in cats; however, cats are more likely than dogs to be stressed during transportation and during veterinary visits. This study evaluated the effect of a single dosage of trazodone on 6 laboratory cats. Behavioral responses and laboratory values were compared. There were no adverse events or changes in the laboratory values. Trazodone is safe to use in cats as

References (0)

Cited by (0)

View full text