Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat developed anemia and lethargy after repeated propofol anesthesia
By Baetge, Courtney L et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2020·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical Heinz Body Anemia in a Cat After Repeat Propofol Administration Case Report.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old American Domestic Shorthair cat developed anemia after receiving propofol for anesthesia 12 times during treatment for fibrosarcoma. The cat showed signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, and low energy. After the vet stopped using propofol and switched to a different anesthesia method, the cat's anemia improved quickly, and within a week, its blood levels returned to normal. The cat also regained its appetite and energy, showing a positive recovery.
People also search for: cat anemia symptoms · propofol side effects in cats · cat lethargy after anesthesia
Abstract
Heinz body formation has been reported in cats repeatedly administered propofol for anesthesia induction, although the resultant changes were deemed of little clinical significance (1, 2). This report suggests repeated propofol administration to some individual cats might induce anemia with clinical signs and cessation of propofol administration may result in rapid resolution. A 9-years-old American Domestic Shorthair cat receiving a 20-fraction radiation protocol for lateral thoracic fibrosarcoma showed lethargy, decreased appetite and activity, and Heinz body (3+ on blood smear examination) anemia (packed cell volume 22%; reference interval 24-45%) after 12 repeated propofol anesthesia inductions. The anesthesia induction protocol was adjusted to exclude propofol. Over the following week, the anemia resolved (packed cell volume, 30%), and the cat's activity level, appetite and attitude improved. The total dose of propofol received over the 12 treatments was 62.4 mg/kg.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33195628/