OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of anxiolysis achieved by alprazolam and gabapentin in hospitalized cats prior to elective ovariohysterectomy and to evaluate the sedative effects of these agents. ANIMALS: 60 client-owned female cats classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1, admitted for elective ovariohysterectomy at a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: The cats were prospectively and randomly allocated into 3 groups. Ninety minutes before evaluation, group G received gabapentin (100 mg/cat), group A received alprazolam (0.125 mg/cat), and group P received no medication (placebo). Stress, enclosure activity, and sedation scores were blindly evaluated. RESULTS: Stress scores were similar in cats treated with gabapentin and alprazolam and gabapentin-treated cats had significantly lower stress score than those of the placebo group. Enclosure activity levels did not differ among the groups. Additionally, gabapentin and alprazolam resulted in similar sedation levels 90 minutes after treatment, which differed significantly compared to placebo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest that gabapentin provides similar anxiolysis in cats to that of alprazolam when evaluated 90 minutes after administration. Although no difference was noted in sedation levels between gabapentin and alprazolam, both induced deeper sedation than placebo.

This prospective, randomized study aimed to assess the anxiolytic efficacy of gabapentin or alprazolam in cats during short-term postoperative hospitalization. Sixty cats were randomly assigned to three groups (gabapentin-treated [100 mg per cat], alprazolam-treated [0.125 mg per cat], or placebo-treated), with treatments administered twice daily for two days. Stress levels were evaluated using Cat Stress Scores, serum cortisol, and glucose concentrations. Pain scores, food consumption, and adverse effects such as sedation were also monitored. Fifty-five cats completed the study. Both medications demonstrated similar reductions in stress levels. Cats receiving gabapentin had lower pain scores, while those receiving alprazolam exhibited significantly increased food intake on the first postoperative day. However, both medications resulted in comparable levels of sedation. In the context of postoperative hospitalization, pharmacological intervention with anxiolytics could be effective in reducing stress levels. Despite potential side effects, gabapentin and alprazolam may contribute to an improved quality of short-term hospitalization for cats.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether pretreatment with gabapentin or alprazolam in cats increases sedation, facilitates intravenous catheter placement (IVCP), or reduces propofol requirements for intubation compared to placebo. Methods: All cats that participated in this prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial were admitted for elective ovariohysterectomy at a veterinary teaching hospital from 2022 to 2023. The cats were healthy, were ≥ 6 months old, and weighed > 3 kg. The cats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group G received gabapentin (100 mg/cat), group A received alprazolam (0.125 mg/cat), and group P received a placebo. Ninety minutes after the pretreatment administration, premedication with acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg) and buprenorphine (0.02 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly. Thirty minutes later, sedation levels, IVCP difficulty, and propofol requirements for intubation were evaluated. Results: A total of 60 cats were finally included, with 20 cats in each group. Sedation scores were significantly higher in both group G and group A compared to group P, with no significant difference observed between group G and group A. No differences were observed in the difficulty of IVCP among the groups. Propofol requirements for intubation were significantly lower in group A (4.6 ± 1.2 mg/kg) compared to both group G (6.7 ± 2.4 mg/kg) and group P (8.4 ± 1.9 mg/kg). Conclusions: Pretreatment with gabapentin or alprazolam increased sedation in cats undergoing premedication. Alprazolam reduced the propofol required for intubation, though neither drug facilitated IVCP. Clinical Relevance: The findings of our study can have implications for anesthesia protocols in feline patients.