A suspected non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to intravenous administration of atracurium in a dog

Testa, B., Pawson, P. and Bell, A. (2021) A suspected non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to intravenous administration of atracurium in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports, 9(3), e101. (doi: 10.1002/vrc2.101)

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reactions are rare events but have the potential to be life-threatening. They are relatively more common during general anaesthesia. This is potentially due to multiple drugs being administered concurrently. An 8-year-old, female neutered Labrador Retriever with bilateral cataracts was anaesthetised for right phacoemulsification. Soon after atracurium administration, the patient's heart rate (HR) increased, alongside decreases in arterial blood pressure and end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2). The dog was treated with clorphenamine and ephedrine intravenously (IV), while receiving a crystalloid fluids bolus. After 20 min both HR and blood pressure normalised, and the remainder of anaesthesia and recovery were uneventful. We suspected a non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to atracurium.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bell, Mr Andrew and Pawson, Dr Pat and Testa, Barbara
• Authors: Testa, B., Pawson, P., and Bell, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Veterinary Record Case Reports
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 2052-6121
• ISSN (Online): 2052-6121
• Published Online: 26 May 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Veterinary Record Case Reports 9(3): e101
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License