Transmucosal detomidine gel induces emesis in approximately half of cats presenting for dietary indiscretion

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transmucosal administration of detomidine gel to induce emesis in cats.

Cats presenting on an emergency basis due to dietary indiscretion were eligible for enrollment at 2 emergency and specialty hospitals from January to August 2024. After baseline vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were obtained, cats were administered 4 mg/m2 detomidine gel (Dormosedan gel) transmucosally and monitored for emesis for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, 100 μg/kg atipamezole was administered IM for reversal, recheck vital signs were obtained, and a sedation score was recorded.

60 cats were enrolled, and 57 cats were included in the final dataset. Emesis was induced in 28 (49.1%) of the cats presented, and emesis did not occur in 29 cats (50.9%). The median time to emesis induction was 11 minutes (range, 2 to 18 minutes). Heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly reduced (-42.6 beats/min and -11.91 breaths/min, respectively) compared to baseline. Thirty-seven cats (69.8%) had recorded sedation scores of 0 to 1/4. No cats experienced complications from transmucosal detomidine that required medical intervention.

Transmucosal detomidine gel induced emesis in 49.1% of cats. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and sedation were observed but did not result in significant complications.

Detomidine gel may be considered to induce emesis in cats, as it is moderately successful, is easy to administer, and appears to have manageable side effects.