Use of gabapentin in felines for echocardiographic evaluation

• Grant number: 20/07225-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2020
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Marcel Gambin Marques
• Grantee: Daniela Ribas Jané
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário Faculdades Integradas de Ourinhos. Fundação Educacional Miguel Mofarrej. Ourinhos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In veterinary cardiology, performing the echocardiographic examination in the feline species is, in most cases, a great challenge. The main manifestations of fear or stress are characterized by behavioral and physiological changes, such as significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. These changes, in addition to compromising health and welfare, make the execution and interpretation of the echocardiographic examination extremely difficult. Gabapentin has been used in an attempt to reduce the manifestations of fear and stress in felines in different contexts. Thus, the objective of the study will be to evaluate whether the administration of gabapentin facilitates the performance of echocardiographic examination in felines. In addition, the effects of gabapentin on conventional echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricle will be evaluated. Will be used 10 cats, males and females, aged 1 to 6 years, sterilized, healthy and domiciled. The animals will be evaluated in two visits, with an interval of 7 days between each one. Two hours before the visit the animal will receive either a dose of 100 mg of gabapentin or a dose of placebo, at random. The echocardiographic examination will be performed shortly after 2 hours and will be timed. The stopwatch will start from the position of the animal in a station on the examination table and end after obtaining all conventional echocardiographic parameters (B-mode, M-mode and spectral Doppler). The animals will be evaluated according to an evaluation score, completed by the examiner and by the time of the exam. It is expected that gabapentin promotes tranquility and allows better collaboration of the animal, as well as a better interpretation of the echocardiographic examination.