Pharmacological management of vomiting in feline patients – a review

Vomiting is a complex protective reflex mediated by the emetic center, a region of the central nervous system that receives impulses from other central and peripheral afferent areas. In cats, substance P, serotonin and norepinephrine are the main mediators of vomiting, with histamine, dopamine, acetylcholine, and enkephalins having a secondary role. In view of variations in the physiology of vomiting and pharmacology across species, the importance of studies focused on felines is emphasized. Among the emetic agents, alpha-2-adrenergic agonists, such as dexmedetomidine and xylazine, are the most studied in the species for this purpose. Maropitant and ondansetron are the more recent antiemetic drugs. Mirtazapine may be useful to prevent chronic vomiting.