Xylazine causes transient dose-related hyperglycemia and increased urine volumes in mares.
Abstract: Xylazine given IV at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg to mares caused a significant (P less than 0.05) dose-related increase in serum glucose concentration and urine volume. Serum glucose concentrations as much as 150 mg/dl were recorded in mares after they were given the largest xylazine dose. The greatest urine volume, similar to changes in peak glucose concentration, always occurred during the first hour after dosing with xylazine and averaged 1.82, 3.93, and 5.68 ml/kg/hour after the 0.5-, 1.0-, and 1.5-mg/kg doses, respectively, were given. Urine osmolality and specific gravity were significantly (P less than 0.05) inversely related to urine volume. Although serum glucose concentrations were significantly increased above those measured after IV injection of saline solution, significant glucosuria was not detected.
Publication Date: 1984-02-01 PubMed ID: 6711946
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the transient effects of xylazine, administered intravenously at different doses, on blood glucose levels and urine volumes in horses.
Overview of the Research
The study focused on the application of different doses of xylazine given intravenously (IV) to horses (mares) to observe the potential effects it imposes on their glucose serum concentration and urine volume.
Experimental Design
- In the experiment, doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg of xylazine were administered to the mares.
- The researchers monitored the serum glucose concentration and urine volume of the test subjects, with a hypothesis that xylazine would cause a significant increase in both.
Results
- The findings corroborated the initial hypothesis. The results displayed a dose-dependent increase in serum glucose concentration and urine volume.
- Glucose concentrations were significantly higher after the largest dose of xylazine, with values reaching as high as 150 mg/dl.
- In terms of urine volume, the largest volume was always found in the first hour after the administration of xylazine. Depending on the dose, the urine volumes averaged at 1.82, 3.93, and 5.68 ml/kg/hour for the 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg doses, respectively.
Correlations
- Additionally, the study found a significant inverse relationship between urine osmolality and specific gravity compared to urine volume. This indicates that as urine volume increased, both osmolality and specific gravity decreased.
- While there was a significant increase in serum glucose concentrations compared to when an IV injection of saline solution was used, no significant levels of glucose in urine (glucosuria) were detected.
To sum it up, this research exhibited that xylazine has an effect on horses by temporarily boosting their glucose levels and urine volumes, but the extent of this effect is dependent on the dosage. Nevertheless, increased glucose in the blood did not translate to increased glucose in the urine.
Cite This Article
APA
Thurmon JC, Steffey EP, Zinkl JG, Woliner M, Howland D.
(1984).
Xylazine causes transient dose-related hyperglycemia and increased urine volumes in mares.
Am J Vet Res, 45(2), 224-227.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Analgesia / adverse effects
- Analgesia / veterinary
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / analysis
- Cattle
- Female
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / urine
- Horses / urine
- Hyperglycemia / chemically induced
- Hyperglycemia / urine
- Hyperglycemia / veterinary
- Thiazines / pharmacology
- Urination / drug effects
- Xylazine / administration & dosage
- Xylazine / adverse effects
- Xylazine / pharmacology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Rabbogliatti V, Amari M, Brioschi FA, Di Cesare F, Zani DD, De Zani D, Di Giancamillo M, Cagnardi P, Ravasio G. Use of dexmedetomidine repeated subcutaneous administration for balanced anaesthesia in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jul 11;18(1):269.
- Abouelfetouh MM, Salah E, Liu L, Khalil AH, Zhang Q, Ding M, Ding Y. Immediate Postoperative Analgesia of Nalbuphine-Ketamine Combination Compared with Ketamine Alone in Xylazine-Sedated Goats Undergoing Left Flank Laparotomy. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 18;12(4).
- Kerr CL, Keating SCJ, Arroyo LG, Viel L. Cardiopulmonary effects and recovery characteristics associated with 2 sedative protocols for assisted ventilation in healthy neonatal foals. Can J Vet Res 2021 Oct;85(4):251-260.
- Niyom S, Mama KR, King M, Contino E, Ferris D, Valdes-Martinez A, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith W, Zumbrunnen J. Influence of changing lateral recumbency and mode of ventilation on the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient and selected laboratory analytes in adult isoflurane anesthetized horses. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 1;80(10):1584-1589.
- Murahata Y, Miki Y, Hikasa Y. Antagonistic effects of atipamezole, yohimbine, and prazosin on xylazine-induced diuresis in clinically normal cats. Can J Vet Res 2014 Oct;78(4):304-15.
- Kullmann A, Sanz M, Fosgate GT, Saulez MN, Page PC, Rioja E. Effects of xylazine, romifidine, or detomidine on hematology, biochemistry, and splenic thickness in healthy horses. Can Vet J 2014 Apr;55(4):334-40.
- Ohmes CM, Davis EG, Beard LA, Vander Werf KA, Bianco AW, Giger U. Transient Fanconi syndrome in Quarter horses. Can Vet J 2014 Feb;55(2):147-51.
- Liu S, Zhen G, Meloni BP, Campbell K, Winn HR. RODENT STROKE MODEL GUIDELINES FOR PRECLINICAL STROKE TRIALS (1ST EDITION). J Exp Stroke Transl Med 2009 Jan 1;2(2):2-27.
- Sinclair MD. A review of the physiological effects of alpha2-agonists related to the clinical use of medetomidine in small animal practice. Can Vet J 2003 Nov;44(11):885-97.
- Lindh E, Meller A, Alm K, Raekallio M, Honkavaara J. Effects of vatinoxan and fentanyl on blood glucose concentrations and diuresis in male Wistar rats sedated with medetomidine and midazolam. BMC Vet Res 2026 Jan 29;22(1).
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