Resistance to transportation and stressful veterinary visits are major causes for a decrease in feline

veterinary care. Few options exist for oral sedatives to reduce cats’ anxiety prior to veterinary visits. The purpose

of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral trazodone for use as a single dose agent for sedation

in cats.

 

Six laboratory cats were given single 50, 75 and 100 mg doses of trazodone and placebo. Trazodone 100

mg and placebo treatments were randomized. Pre- and post-study laboratory values and physical examinations

were compared. During each 4 hour period post-treatment, sedation was measured via accelerometers and video

observations scored by an observer blinded to treatment. Examinations were performed on the cats 90 mins after

treatment, and their behavioral responses scored by the same blinded observer.

 

No adverse effects or changes in physical examinations or laboratory values were detected as a result

of trazodone administration. Accelerometer data showed trazodone 50, 75 and 100 mg caused sedation as

measured by activity reduction (83%, 46% and 66%, respectively). In contrast, there was a 14% activity increase

after placebo. There was a significant reduction in video observation scores when cats were given trazodone 100

mg compared with placebo. Mean latency to peak sedation for trazodone 100 mg occurred at 2 h. Scores for

behavioral response to examination, performed at 90 mins post-treatment, were not significantly different between

cats receiving trazodone 100 mg and placebo.

 

In conclusion Trazodone was well tolerated in this population of cats and caused appreciable

sedation at all doses. Behavior during examination was not significantly different when cats received trazodone 100

mg compared with placebo. Further studies are recommended to investigate the use of oral trazodone in cats for

the purpose of decreasing anxiety associated with transportation and examination.

 

Click here to be directed to the study in ResearchGate.