Introduction

Mucosal administration is an alternative way of α-2 agonists such as dexmedetomidine. Because of the bad taste of the drug, hypersalivation can occur after oral administration and this changes the rate of absorption.

Objectives

To evaluate the sedative, haemodynamic, and antinociceptive effects of dexmedetomidine after intranasal transmucosal administration with two different dosage in cats.

Methods

Twelve adult healthy cats were assigned to receive 40 and 75 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine with two weeks periods. Sedation and analgesia scores, heart rates, systolic blood pressures, and body temperatures were assessed before and at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150, 180 minutes after intranasal transmucosal administration. Adverse effects were also recorded.

Results

Sedation and analgesia were apparent within 8 (3–12) minutes in 75 mcg/kg group and 13 (3–18) minutes in 40 mcg/kg group. The duration of the sedation score and recovery time were significantly longer after 75 mcg/kg administration. Analgesia score were higher in the 75 mcg/kg group and it was statistically significant at 15, 30, and 90 minutes. Within each treatment group heart rate was significantly lower after premedication and the differences between groups were statistically significant at 150 and 180 minutes. Within each treatment group systolic arterial blood pressure was significantly higher after premedication and the differences between groups were statistically significant at 15, 60, 75, and 90 minutes. Commonly observed side effects were salivation and vomiting (79%).

Conclusions

Intranasal transmucosal route of administration could be considered as an alternative method for a sedative and analgesic drug such as dexmedetomidine.