The Effect of Maropitant, Ondansetron and Metoclopramide on Dexmedetomidine-Induced Vomiting in Cats.

Objectives: Vomiting is frequently observed in cats after dexmedetomidine administration. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of different antiemetics in preventing vomiting in cats after dexmedetomidine administration.

Methods: Sixty-four cats were randomly allocated to receive saline solution (0.9% NaCl, 0.1 mL/kg, SC), maropitant (1 mg/kg, SC), ondansetron (0.22 mg/kg, IM) or metoclopramide (1 mg/kg, IM) 30 min before the intramuscular administration of dexmedetomidine (25 µg/kg). Duration of vomiting, severity of vomiting and nausea signs (sialorrhoea, lip licking, retching and vomiting) was recorded for 30 min after dexmedetomidine administration.

Results: The duration and severity of vomiting were significantly reduced in groups that received maropitant, ondansetron or metoclopramide compared to the saline group. Although differences were observed in retching and vomiting between the saline and other groups (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences in sialorrhoea or lip licking (p = 0.34 and p = 0.12, respectively).

Conclusions: Maropitant, ondansetron and metoclopramide were found to significantly reduce retching and vomiting compared to the control group. In conclusion, no significant difference was found among maropitant, ondansetron and metoclopramide groups in the prevention of dexmedetomidine-induced vomiting in cats.