Increased glucose content in the aqueous humour caused by the use of xylazine.

Xylazine has a strong hyperglycaemic effect due to its blocking of the pancreatic insulin release via stimulation of parasympathetic (alpha 2-adrenergic) receptors. Therefore xylazine also increases the content of glucose in the aqueous humour considerably. This increase might be regarded as the inducing factor of the diabetogenic cataractous changes seen in animals with a low tolerance to high glucose levels in the aqueous humour. Xylazine must still be regarded as one of the better combinations with ketamine, because of its reproducible and stable anaesthetic effect in this combination in cats. However, the use of xylazine should be carefully considered, especially in eye surgery, until further controlled information is available.