Xylazine & Induction of Emesis in Cats

Edward Cooper, VMD, MS, DACVECC, The Ohio State University

Emergency Medicine & Critical Care|August 2018

Sign in to Print/View PDF

In the Literature

Thies M, Bracker K, Sinnott V. Retrospective evaluation of the effectiveness of xylazine for inducing emesis in cats: 48 cats (2011-2015). J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2017;27(6):658-661.

FROM THE PAGE …

There are important differences between dogs and cats with regard to inducing emesis for suspected toxin or foreign body ingestion. Although apomorphine or hydrogen peroxide are often used in dogs, these are generally ineffective in cats and may be harmful. Based on relative receptor density in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, α2-adrenergic agonists (eg, xylazine, dexmedetomidine) have been recommended instead, although there is relatively little clinical evidence supporting their use. This retrospective study sought to assess the efficacy of xylazine for inducing emesis in cats and determine the rate of complications associated with administration.

Medical records from a referral center from 2006 to 2015 reviewed clinical characteristics of cats receiving xylazine for emesis induction after known or suspected toxin or foreign body ingestion. Forty-eight cats were included in the study, with an even split between known/suspected toxin exposure (n = 24) versus foreign body ingestion (n = 24). Xylazine was administered at a median dose of 0.49 mg/kg IM. Emesis was achieved in 60% (29/48) of patients; the aim of emesis (ie, recovery of foreign body or decontamination) was successful in 72% of these patients. Adverse effects were noted in 33% (16/48) of cats, with sedation being the most common (15/16); one of these cats also experienced pytalism. Another cat experienced bradycardia alone. Almost all (46/48) of the cats received a reversal agent; most (37/46) received yohimbine, whereas the remainder (9/46) received atipamezole. No differences were found with regard to age, sex, breed, reason for induction of emesis, or the occurrence of adverse effects between those that successfully vomited and those that did not.

… TO YOUR PATIENTS

Key pearls to put into practice:

1

Xylazine at 0.5 mg/kg may be effective in inducing emesis in approximately 50% of feline foreign body or intoxication cases, with approximately three-fourths of those patients successfully expelling the ingested toxin or foreign body. Dexmedetomidine has also been shown to be effective in this regard and, in one study, was found to be superior to xylazine.1

2

The most common adverse effect to be expected is sedation, which can be reversed using an α2-adrenergic antagonist (eg, yohimbine, atipamezole).

 

3

Age, breed, sex, or reason for emesis induction did not appear to impact whether xylazine is effective in inducing vomiting in cats.

Reference

For global readers, a calculator to convert laboratory values, dosages, and other measurements to SI units can be found here.

Material from Clinician's Brief may not be reproduced, distributed, or used in whole or in part without prior permission of Educational Concepts, LLC. For questions or inquiries please contact us.

Title

field_pronunciation_value

field_data_field_aliases

field_data_field_drug_class


Clinician's Brief provides relevant diagnostic and treatment information for small animal practitioners. It has been ranked the #1 most essential publication by small animal veterinarians for 9 years.*

*2007-2017 PERQ and Essential Media Studies

It's Free & Simple

Subscribe

Delivered to Your Inbox

Newsletter

Join the Conversation

Facebook

Follow us @CliniciansBrief

Twitter

Home

Global Edition

About Us

Employment

Sign In

Capsules

Contact Us

Brief Media

Create Account

© 2018 Educational Concepts, L.L.C. dba Brief Media ™ All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy (Updated 05/08/2018) Terms of Use (Updated 05/08/2018)