- Barbiturates (pentobarbital, thiopental, thiamylal, methohexital)
Potential for respiratory depression with excessive doses. Contraindicated in pregnant cats. Prolonged anesthetic recovery can also be a problem when barbiturates are used in older animals, obese animals (which require higher dosage), or other animals with compromised hepatic and renal function which decreases metabolism of the drugs.¹ According to Oklahoma State University, pentobarbital is no longer used for anesthetic induction due to its prolonged rough recovery. - Ketamine
Potential for depressed cardiac function; compromise respiratory function, including apnea (failure to breathe and/or sudden pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) for cats with cardiac disease or severe debilitation. Contraindicated for cases of head trauma, or cats with kidney failure.
- Propofol (sold as PropoFlo, Rapinovet, and Dipravan) Can cause apnea when inducted quickly, and overdosage can cause cardiac arrest, however ordinarily there are minimal effects on the cardiovascular system.²
- Acepromazine
Because it is not an analgesic, acepromazine is usually used in conjunction with another sedative. It is contraindicated in animals with CNS (central nervous system) lesions, and can sometimes cause hypothermia. - Halothane (inhalant)
Cardiopulmonary depresssion, and a risk of malignant hyperthermia in some breeds/strains.¹ - Isoflurane (inhalant)
Respiratory depression and cardiovascular depression.¹
¹From University of Minnesota Guidelines for Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Sedation
²From Dr.Susan Little on Injectable Anesthetics
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