Comparison of the efficacy of three premedicants administered to cats

Healthy cats (n = 90), anesthetized for minor procedures, were included in a study designed to evaluate the efficacy of three premedicant mixtures. The drug combination was assigned randomly and the evaluations were made by individuals unaware of the treatment used. The mixtures and their final concentrations were as follows: acepromazine (1.0 mg/mL) and atropine (0.25 mg/mL) with either meperidine (20.0 mg/mL), ketamine (25.0 mg/mL), or oxymorphone (0.2 mg/mL). The dose used was 0.2 mL/kg(0.75). There was no significant difference (p< 0.05) among drug combinations in the degree of sedation achieved, difficulty of handling for IV catheter placement, induction dose of thiopental, or heart or respiratory rate following induction. All combinations were considered satisfactory for premedication of healthy cats. The ketamine combination had a tendency for more consistent sedation (0.05 < p < 0.01).