Why Sedation?

Anti-anxiety drugs and sedation make for faster, more accurate scans that minimize air swallowing from panting/anxiety. It also minimizes my need for a holder. I would like you to use whatever protocol you are most comfortable with provided they don’t alter doppler readings on echocardiogram studies. The below protocols are what I most commonly use in my private practice setting.

Please note that all cardiac imaging will require a dedicated holder as these patients typically have conditions that necessitate a lighter sedation.

Canine Scans

• All scans:

  • Trazodone: 7-10mg/kg PO 1-2 hours prior to arrival

  • Gabapentin 10-40mg/kg PO 2 hours prior to arrival (for even more thorough sedation, give an initial dose the evening prior to the appointment).

• Healthy Heart:

  • 0.2-0.3 mg/kg Butorphanol and 0.05ml to 0.1ml Dexmedetomidine IV

• Unhealthy Heart (holder likely needed for scan):

  • 0.3mg/kg butorphanol + 0.2-0.3mg/kg midazolam IV

Feline Scans

• All scans:

  • Gabapentin 50-100mg/cat (not per kg) the night before procedure and 2 hours prior to arrival.

• Healthy Heart:

  • 100mg Gabapentin the night before and 100mg gabapentin 2 hours prior to scan time.

  • 0.1ml butorphanol + 0.1ml dexdomitor +/- 0.05ml ketamine IM

• Unhealthy Heart (holder likely needed for scan):

  • 100mg Gabapentin the night before and 100mg gabapentin 2 hours prior to scan time.

  • 0.1ml butorphanol IM +/- 0.3mg/kg midazolam IM

Exotic Scans

• Sedate however you feel is appropriate.

Rarely pets are very comfortable with being imaged and willingly lie there with a dedicated holder. If you feel a pet falls within this category, we can always try that. Please get sedation consent signed for all pets ahead of time anyway so that we can sedate if needed.

My Recommended Protocols