Medetomidine sedation in dogs and cats:A review of its pharmacology, antagonism and dose

Medetomidine is a relatively new sedative analgesic in dogs and cats but some precautions are required when using it. It is a potent α2-adrenoceptor agonist and stimulates receptors centrally to produce dose-dependent sedation and analgesia and receptors centrally and peripherally to cause marked bradycardia and decrease the cardiac output. While hypotension occurs frequently, higher doses of the sedative can raise the blood pressure due to an...