Stimulation of food intake by xylazine in sheep

The effect of xylazine (0.05 and 0.15 mg/kg, intramuscularly) on food (concentrate) intake was examined in ewes. Xylazine at 0.15 mg/kg significantly increased the 2 and 24 h food intake in comparison with control values. Xylazine treatments significantly and dose-dependently decreased the heart rate, respiratory rate and ruminal motility, and increased the rectal temperature when compared with pretreatment values. The changes in the physiological variables and the slight tranquilizing effect of xylazine apparently did not interfere with the food intake. The data suggest that xylazine increases food intake in freely feeding sheep.