A Preliminary Study: Evaluation of Oral Trazodone as a Strategy to Reduce Anesthetic Requirements in Bitches Undergoing Ovariectomy

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of trazodone as part of premedication in routine surgical procedures. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical study was conducted on 16 adult female dogs undergoing elective ovariectomy. Behavioral responses were assessed after oral administration of trazodone (5 mg/kg) in eight dogs and compared with a control group (<i>n</i> = 8). Sedation levels at the time of induction and the required dose of propofol were recorded. Additionally, intraoperative fentanyl IV boluses (2.5 µg/kg) administered in response to surgical pain, along with heart rate (HR) and non-invasive arterial pressure (NIAP), were compared between groups. Dogs receiving trazodone exhibited significantly lower stress scores on the Clinic Dog Stress Scale (CDSS) and fewer episodes of vomiting after premedication, and they required lower doses of both propofol and intraoperative analgesia. These findings suggest that oral trazodone administration two hours before hospital arrival may help reduce preoperative stress in dogs undergoing elective ovariectomy. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these results and fully evaluate the role of trazodone in preoperative protocols.