Use of tiletamine-zolazepam versus xylazine-ketamine as a sedation and anesthetic combination for ovariohysterectomy procedure in registered feral feline colonies.

Abstract

In female cats, spaying eliminates the risk of developing pathologies related to the ovaries and uterus, such as pyometra, uterine tumors and metritis. It also reduces the probability of having hormone-dependent pathologies, such as breast tumors and pseudogestation. Sterilization by TNR program (Trap-Neuter-Return) allows us to control the overpopulation of colony cats, which causes, apart from other negative consequences, a threat to the local fauna. The aim of this study was to compare the use of Zoletil with Ketamine and xylazine combination versus routine ketamine and xylazine shelter protocol in order to increase the sedation level and improve the management of ovariohysterectomies in feral cats. This study was carried out by using a total of 30 feral cats divided into two groups: Group G1 routine combination of ketamine and xylazine (KX) used in the shelter and group G2 based on a combination of ketamine, xylazine, tiletamine and zolazepam. In both groups, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures of all cats were monitored. Post-surgical pain was also evaluated using two different scales: Feline Glasgow Scale and Feline Grimace Scale of University of Montreal. The group G1 showed better results of sedation and less isoflurane requirement in comparing to group G2 where isoflurane was needed in approximately 50% of the animals. Nevertheless, group G2 showed shorter recovery times. We conclude that the shelter routine protocol showed by the group G1 developed a better sedation quality for the ovariohysterectomy procedures in feral cats. Finally, further studies are needed in order to improve the combination used in the group G2 by increasing Zoletil doses and a larger size of the sample should be taken into consideration.