• Manuel Martin-Flores, Daniel M Sakai, Diego A Portela, Lucia Borlle, Luis Campoy, and Robin D Gleed.
• Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
• Vet Anaesth Analg. 2016 Sep 1; 43 (5): 511-8.

ObjectiveTo identify the dose of rocuronium that will prevent a laryngeal response to water spraying of the glottis in anesthetized cats.Study DesignRandomized crossover study.AnimalsEight healthy, adult, short-haired cats, aged 1-4 years, weighing 3.2-6.0 kg.MethodsEach cat was anesthetized four times and administered one of four doses of rocuronium (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6 mg kg(-1) ) in random order. The larynx was observed with a video-endoscope inserted through a laryngeal mask airway. Video-clips of the laryngeal response to a sterile water spray (0.2 mL) were obtained at baseline (without rocuronium) and at maximal effect of each treatment. Glottal closure score (0-2), duration of glottal closure, and number of adductive arytenoid movements were obtained from video-clips of laryngeal responses (reproduced in slow motion) at baseline and after treatment. Two observers blinded to treatment allocation scored the vigor of the laryngeal response on a visual analog scale (VAS). The duration of apnea (up to 5 minutes) was recorded for each treatment.ResultsCompared with baseline, rocuronium 0.3 mg kg(-1) and 0.6 mg kg(-1) significantly decreased all glottal scores obtained from the videos (all p < 0.03). Both observers gave lower VAS scores after 0.3 mg kg(-1) (both p = 0.015). Apnea lasting ≥ 5 minutes occurred in none, one, three and seven of eight cats administered doses of rocuronium 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.6 mg kg(-1) , respectively.Conclusions And Clinical RelevanceRocuronium 0.3 mg kg(-1) and 0.6 mg kg(-1) consistently decreased the completeness and duration of the laryngeal response to water spray, and reduced the number of arytenoid adductive movements in response to that stimulus. However, a laryngeal response was never completely prevented. Rocuronium 0.3 mg kg(-1) may be useful for facilitating tracheal intubation. Positive pressure ventilation must be available for cats administered rocuronium.© 2016 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

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