Thermal antinociception after dexmedetomidine administration in cats: a comparison between intramuscular and oral transmucosal administration

The summary measures of overall mean threshold, overall mean VAS sedation plus onset, offset and duration of analgesia were investigated using a univariate general linear model. There were no significant differences between treatment groups. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation: delta T mean increase over time (IM 6°C ± 3°C, OTM 6°C ± 2°C); overall mean VAS (IM 43 ± 9 OTM 39 ± 1); onset (IM 35 ± 32 and OTM 30 ± 40 min); offset (IM 96 ± 56 and OTM 138 ± 135 min); duration (IM 61 ± 47 OTM 99 ± 124 min). Dexmedetomidine is well absorbed through the oral mucosa in cats since OTM and IM administration of dexmedetomidine 40 μg/kg produced similar overall sedative and antinociceptive effects.