Evaluation of epidural anesthesia with lidocaine associated to tramadol or dexmedetomidine, in cats undergoing ovariosalpingohisterectomy, anesthetized with propofol

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the physiological and analgesic effects and the minimum infusion rate of propofol of epidural anesthesia with lidocaine associated to tramadol or dexmedetomidine, in cats undergoing ovariosalpingohysterectomy (OSH). For this purpose, 16 healthy cats were pretreated with acepromazine (0.08mg kg -1 IM) and propofol was used for induction (dose-effect) and maintenance of anesthesia. After induction, the cats were assigned in two randomized groups (n= 8), named: Lidocaine-tramadol group (LTG), treated with lidocaine (3mg kg -1 ) associated to tramadol (2mg kg -1 ) and Lidocaine-dexmedetomidine group (LDG), treated with lidocaine (3mg kg -1 ) associated to dexmedetomidine (2g kg -1 ), by epidural route. During OSH, propofol infusion was increased or decreased, setting to maintain surgical anesthetic depth. The parameters f, HR, SPO 2 , EtCO 2 , SAP, DAP, MAP, T°C in the pre (M1) and trans-operative periods (M2 to M7); minimum infusion rate of propofol; time of anesthetic recovery and quality of postoperative analgesia during six-hour interval, were evaluated. Both protocols provided low minimum infusion rate of propofol. However, dexmedetomidine resulted in initial bradycardia, elevated blood pressure, longer recovery time, and lower analgesic quality when compared to tramadol.