Influence of prior administration of gabapentin and integrative practices on sedation scores, physiological...

This study evaluated the influence of prior gabapentin administration, associated or not with integrative practices, on sedation scores, physiological parameters, and propofol requirement in cats sedated with dexmedetomidine undergoing elective orchiectomy. Forty healthy cats (3.76 ± 0.69 kg) were enrolled (T0) and randomized into four groups (n = 10). GAB group received gabapentin (100 mg administered orally) under standard housing, GAB-GCW group received the same treatment but was housed in a cat ward with integrative practices. Control groups received placebo in a cat ward with integrative practices (GCW) or standard housing (GC). After 120 minutes, all cats received dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg IM). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), temperature and sedation scores were assessed before (T1) and 30 minutes after dexmedetomidine (T2). Propofol induction dose, recovery times and quality were recorded. In T1, GAB-GCW showed higher sedation scores [6 (3-9)] than GAB [3 (2-5)] and GC [3 (1-5)], but not GCW. In T2, GAB [9 (2-12)] and GAB-GCW [7.5 (5-12)] scored higher than GC and GCW. Propofol requirements were lower in GAB (4.2 ± 1.9 mg/kg) than GCW (6.8 ± 1.5 mg/kg) and GC (7.2 ± 2 mg/kg) but not GAB-GCW (5.4 ± 1.7 mg/kg). Gabapentin had no effect on physiological variables or recovery. In conclusion, 100 mg of gabapentin given 120 minutes before handling enhances dexmedetomidine sedation and provides a significant propofol-sparing effect for anesthetic induction in cats, while integrative practices independently influenced sedation but did not produce an additive effect when combined with gabapentin.