Effects of dexamethasone, metoclopramide or acepromazine on emesis in cats sedated with xylazine hydrochloride

Abstract

This study was designed to determine antiemetic efficacy of prophylactic administration of dexamethasone, metoclopramide or acepromazine and their influence on sedation in cats sedated with xylazine hydrochloride. Ten healthy adult cats (5 males and 5 females) were used. The prophylactic antiemetic effects of dexamethasone (4 mg/kg of body weight, IM), metoclopramide (0.4 mg/kg of body weight, IM), acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg of body weight, IM) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.1 ml/kg, IM) administered 1 hour before administration of xylazine hydrochloride (2 mg/kg, IM) was evaluated. Initially, the cats were given saline treatment (day 0); sequentially they were given dexamethasone, metoclopramide or acepromazine at 1 week intervals. After a xylazine injection, all cats were observed for 90 minutes for the assesment of frequency of emesis, and the time until the onset of the first emetic episode, and the determination of xylazine-induced sedation time. Prior treatment with 4 mg/kg of dexamethasone significantly reduced the frequency of emetic episodes but no alteration was observed in the time until the onset of the first emetic episode after the xylazine injection. Metoclopramide and acepromazine did not alter the frequency of emetic episodes but metoclopramide significantly prolonged the onset of the first emetic episode. Dexamethasone (4 mg/kg, IM) significantly decreased the frequency of emetic episodes without affecting the time until the onset of the first emetic episode, xylazine-induced sedation in cats.