Short-term effect of sedation on kidney function markers in cats with chronic kidney disease

To determine the short-term effect of sedation on GFR markers in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

This was a prospective observational study involving client-owned cats with CKD undergoing abdominal sonography. Each cat received 50 mg oral gabapentin, 0.3 mg/kg butorphanol, and 0.3 mg/kg midazolam IM followed by 1 mg/kg alfaxalone IV to effect. Presedation blood tests included hematology and biochemistry. A second blood test for GFR markers (symmetric dimethylarginine [SDMA] and creatinine) was collected at the point of maximum sedation (20 cats) or 2 hours after sedation (12 cats).

20 cats had presedation SDMA and creatinine concentrations of 19 µg/dL median (IQR, 15 to 24.5) and 200 µmol/L median (IQR, 147.5 to 260), respectively. These were not significantly different from samples from the point of maximal sedation (SDMA: median, 19 µg/dL; quantile [Q]-1 to Q3, 15 to 24.5; P = .31; creatinine: median, 200 µmol/L; IQR, 147.5 to 255; P = .71). Twelve cats had presedation SDMA and creatinine concentrations of 22 µg/dL median (IQR, 19.5 to 24.5) and 210 µmol/L median (IQR, 165 to 260), respectively. These were not significantly different from samples obtained 2 hours after sedation (SDMA: median, 25 µg/dL; IQR, 20 to 26; P = .51; creatinine: median, 200 µmol/L; Q1 to Q3, 175 to 280; P = .06). The only adverse effect was prolonged sedation in some cats.

Sedation with gabapentin, butorphanol, midazolam, and alfaxalone was an effective protocol for cats with CKD undergoing noninvasive diagnostic procedures and was not associated with short-term changes in GFR markers.

The sedation protocol described is safe and effective in cats with CKD undergoing routine procedures.