Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adverse reactions to alpha-adrenoceptor drugs in cats in Finland
By Raekallio, Marja R et al.·Published in Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia·2017·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Adverse reactions of α-adrenoceptor agonists in cats reported in 2003-2013 in Finland.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 90 cats experienced breathing problems after receiving a type of medication called alpha-adrenoceptor agonists, which are often used for sedation or anesthesia. Symptoms like difficulty breathing and fluid from the nose were noticed as soon as 15 minutes after the medication was given. Out of the 61 cats suspected to have pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), 43 survived, while 14 sadly did not. This highlights the importance of monitoring cats closely after administering these medications, as serious reactions can occur quickly.
People also search for: cat breathing problems after sedation · alpha-adrenoceptor agonists side effects in cats · pulmonary edema in cats treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe suspected adverse drug reactions in cats associated with use of α-adrenoceptor agonists. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: A total of 90 cats. METHODS: Data were collected from reports on adverse reactions to veterinary medicines sent to the Finnish Medicines Agency during 2003-2013. All reports of suspected adverse reactions associated with use of α-adrenoceptor agonists in cats were included. Probable pulmonary oedema was diagnosed based on post mortem or radiological examination, or presence of frothy or excess fluid from the nostrils or trachea. If only dyspnoea and crackles on auscultation were reported, possible pulmonary oedema was presumed. RESULTS: Pulmonary oedema was suspected in 61 cases. Of these cats, 37 were categorised as probable and 24 as possible pulmonary oedema. The first clinical signs had been noted between 1 minute and 2 days (median, 15 minutes) after α-adrenoceptor agonist administration. Many cats probably had no intravenous overhydration when the first clinical signs were detected, as either they presumably had no intravenous cannula or the signs appeared before, during or immediately after cannulation. Of the 61 cats, 43 survived, 14 died and for four the outcome was not clearly stated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pulmonary oedema is a perilous condition that may appear within minutes of an intramuscular administration of sedative or anaesthetic agent in cats. The symptoms were not caused by intravenous overhydration, at least in cats having no venous cannula when the first clinical signs were detected.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28733105/