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

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 minutes both HR and blood pressure normalised, and the remainder of anaesthesia and recovery were uneventful. We suspected a non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to atracurium.