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Use of atracurium and its reversal with neostigmine in 14 pet rabbits undergoing ophthalmic surgery: a retrospective study

Adami, C; Sanchez, R F; Monticelli, P

Authors

C Adami

R F Sanchez

P Monticelli



Abstract

The objective of this retrospective study was to report the clinical use of atracurium and its reversal with neostigmine in pet rabbits. The medical records of 14 rabbits undergoing anaesthesia for ophthalmic surgery were located through a search of the hospital’s database. Demographic data and data pertaining to the use of the neuromuscular blocker and its reversal were analysed. After intravenous administration of 0.44±0.4 mg/kg atracurium (total dose), 11 rabbits experienced at least one of the following cardiovascular responses: hypotension, defined as systolic arterial pressure less than 75 mmHg (n=6), hypotension with decreased heart rate (HR) (n=1), hypotension with increased HR (n=1), decreased arterial blood pressure (ABP) without hypotension (n=6), decreased ABP with decreased HR (n=1), or increased HR (n=2, ABP reading could not be taken). Two of these 11 rabbits also experienced severe intraoperative hypothermia. The neuromuscular block was monitored with a train-of-four nerve-stimulation pattern, and reversed, with intramuscular 0.01–0.045 mg/kg neostigmine and 0.01–0.02 mg/kg glycopyrronium, after the return of at least two out of four muscular twitches following nerve stimulation. Decrease in ABP and possibly hypothermia are likely intraoperative complications when clinical doses of atracurium are administered to pet rabbits. Measures should be taken to detect their occurrence in order to treat them promptly.

Citation

Adami, C., Sanchez, R. F., & Monticelli, P. (2019). Use of atracurium and its reversal with neostigmine in 14 pet rabbits undergoing ophthalmic surgery: a retrospective study. Veterinary Record, 184(14), https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105266

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 23, 2019
Publication Date Mar 1, 2019
Deposit Date Mar 15, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 20, 2019
Journal VETERINARY RECORD
Print ISSN 0042-4900
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 184
Issue 14
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105266
Public URL https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1383278

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