Effect of Atropine Sulfate on Tear Production in the Cat when Used with Ketamine Hydrochloride and Acetylpromazine Maleate

Schirmer I tear tests were done on 10 cats before and during anesthesia induced with ketamine hydrochloride in combination with acetylpromazine maleate, with and without atropine sulfate as a preanesthetic agent. Use of atropine sulfate alone decreased tear production from a mean base-line value of 16.9 +/- 3.7 mm/min to 8.2 +/- 4.9 mm/min, 10 minutes after its subcutaneous administration. Tear production continued to decrease from 8.2 +/- 4.9 mm/min to a mean of 2.3 +/- 2.5 mm/min at 30 minutes after the administration of the ketamine hydrochloride and acetylpromazine maleate combination.