Which of the following is a noted consideration of opioid use?

• A. Hyperthermia in cats
• B. Hyperthermia in dogs
• C. Weight gain
• D. Increased appetite

Answer: (A)

Opioids can affect autonomic regulation, and in cats there is documentation of hyperthermia as a reaction to opioid use. This makes elevated body temperature a noted consideration when treating feline patients with opioids, reflecting species-specific differences in thermoregulation. Dogs are less likely to exhibit this response and may even show normal or slightly decreased temperatures in some cases. Weight gain and increased appetite aren’t typical concerns with opioid use—nausea, vomiting, and reduced appetite are more common adverse effects. So the feline-focused hyperthermia stands out as the relevant noted consideration.