Transmucosal detomidine gel induces emesis in approximately half of cats presenting for dietary indiscretion

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transmucosal administration of detomidine gel to induce emesis in cats. Methods: Cats presenting on an emergency basis due to dietary indiscretion were eligible for enrollment at 2 emergency and specialty hospitals from January to August 2024. After baseline vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure were obtained, cats were administered 4 mg/m2 detomidine gel (Dormosedan gel) transmucosally and monitored for emesis for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, 100 μg/kg atipamezole was administered IM for reversal, recheck vital signs were obtained, and a sedation score was recorded. Results: 60 cats were enrolled, and 57 cats were included in the final dataset. Emesis was induced in 28 (49.1%) of the cats presented, and emesis did not occur in 29 cats (50.9%). The median time to emesis induction was 11 minutes (range, 2 to 18 minutes). Heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly reduced (-42.6 beats/min and -11.91 breaths/min, respectively) compared to baseline. Thirty-seven cats (69.8%) had recorded sedation scores of 0 to 1/4. No cats experienced complications from transmucosal detomidine that required medical intervention. Conclusions: Transmucosal detomidine gel induced emesis in 49.1% of cats. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and sedation were observed but did not result in significant complications. Clinical Relevance: Detomidine gel may be considered to induce emesis in cats, as it is moderately successful, is easy to administer, and appears to have manageable side effects.