Comparative Study of the Physiological and Behavioral ‎Effects of Gabapentin and Trazodone in Fractious Cats

Ameri Naini, Amir Reza; Arfaee, Farnoosh; Panahi, Negar

doi:10.22092/ari.2025.369262.3635

Comparative Study of the Physiological and Behavioral ‎Effects of Gabapentin and Trazodone in Fractious Cats

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, ‎Tehran, Iran‏.‏‎ ‎

² Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran - IRAN

³ Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, SR.C., ‎Islamic Azad University, ‎Tehran, Iran‎

10.22092/ari.2025.369262.3635

Abstract

In the current study, the proportional effect of a single dose of gabapentin and trazodone on ‎calming fear- and anxiety-induced aggression in cats was examined. ‎
Twenty-seven healthy fractious DSH breed cats were randomly and double-blindly divided ‎into three equal groups. The first group received a placebo as a control group. The second and ‎third groups received gabapentin (22 mg kg–1) and trazodone (10 mg kg–1), respectively, in ‎this study. Physiological factors (heart rate, respiration rate, systolic blood pressure, and rectal ‎temperature) were measured after the cats were referred to the clinic. The stress level of the ‎cats was also assessed. The sedation scores were calculated using the Feline Multiparametric ‎Sedation Scale (FMSS). In the gabapentine group, the mean systolic blood pressure (14.05 ‎mm Hg)‎‎ and respiratory rate (26.78 breaths minute-1) were significantly lower than in the ‎trazodone and control groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference ‎between the heart rate and rectal temperature groups. The mean of all behavioral factors in the ‎trazodone and gabapentin groups was lower than that of the control group; this difference ‎was more significant between the gabapentin and control groups. Gabapentin and trazodone ‎administration before considering medical referral may help alleviate fear- and anxiety-‎induced aggression in cats. However, it's important to note that while it showed greater ‎effectiveness in reducing physiological signs of stress, sedation may not necessarily alleviate ‎stress itself; it could merely mask its symptoms. Gabapentin (22 mg kg–1) demonstrated better ‎efficacy in sedative effects when evaluated across various behavioral factors.‎

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