Minimal alveolar concentrations for halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane in the cat.

The minimal alveolar concentrations for halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane in the domestic cat were found to be 1.19 +/- 0.05 (SEM)%, 2.37 +/- 0.06%, and 1.61 +/- 0.04%, respectively. During the potency studies, it was observed that enflurane and isoflurane resulted in shorter wake-up times, compared with halothane. However, enflurane and isoflurane produced electroencephalographic (EEG) and clinical signs of CNS irritability (EEG spiking, myoclonus) in normocapnic or mildly hypocapnic cats. In addition, enflurane and isoflurane caused greater airway irritability (coughing, salivation) than did halothane.