Intravenous glucose tolerance test in cats: influenced by acetylpromazine, ketamine, morphine, thiopental, and xylazine.

Influences of chemical restraining agents of IV glucose tolerance test were studied in 3 cats. An IV injection of 0.5 g of glucose/kg produced hyperglycemia which was apparent at 15 minutes after the injection was done and disappeared at 45 minutes. All of the following drugs studied influenced the IV glucose tolerance test (0.5 g of glucose/kg): thiopental sodium (16 mg/kg, IV), ketamine (11 and 33 mg/kg, IM), acetylpromazine (2.2 mg/kg, IM), xylazine (2.2 mg/kg, IM), and morphine (0.1 mg/kg, IM). The results indicate that in cats glucose tolerance tests probably should be performed without chemical restraint. Data derived from tests where chemical restraint was used should be interpreted carefully, since the restraint drug, per se, may interfere with the test.