Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of three doses of romifidine in comparison with medetomidine in five cats

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the effects of three doses of romifidine (200, 400 and 600 μg/kg) with medetomidine (80 μg/kg) administered intramuscularly to five cats. The quality of sedation and the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of each treatment were evaluated, and the onset and duration of the sedation, and the cats' recovery times, were measured. Cardiorespiratory variables were also analysed. The dose of 200 μg/kg romifidine was clinically superior to the other doses of romifidine, providing moderate sedation, with minor cardiorespiratory and other adverse effects. However none of the doses of romifidine induced as deep and reliable sedation as the dose of medetomidine.