Sedation quality of alfaxalone associated with butorphanol, methadone or pethidine in cats injected into the supraspinatus or the quadriceps muscle

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of sedation with three different anaesthetic protocols (alfaxalone combined with butorphanol, methadone or pethidine) administered intramuscularly in cats, and to evaluate the influence of the injection site (between supraspinatus and quadriceps muscles) on the onset and quality of sedation. All three protocols provided a good quality of sedation and allowed performing the scheduled procedure. Moreover, the injection into the supraspinatus muscle showed superior results in all the qualitative scores of sedation and quicker onset time than that into the quadriceps muscle.