Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse had muscle spasms and sweating during anesthesia - what to know
By Bailey, J E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1996·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis episode during halothane anesthesia in a horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 7-month-old Quarter Horse filly experienced muscle twitching, sweating, and other symptoms during surgery after being given anesthesia. The vet found that her potassium levels were dangerously high, which can cause serious heart issues. To treat her, they provided special breathing support, changed her IV fluids, and gave her several medications, including calcium and sodium bicarbonate. Thankfully, her symptoms improved, and her potassium levels returned to normal after treatment.
People also search for: horse muscle twitching during surgery · hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in horses · horse anesthesia complications
Abstract
A 7-month-old Quarter Horse filly was admitted for surgical repair of a right olecranon fracture. Anesthesia was achieved with xylazine hydrochloride, guaifenesin, ketamine hydrochloride, and halothane. Two and a half hours after induction of anesthesia, myotonia, muscle fasciculations, and sweating, concurrent with high serum potassium concentration and associated electrocardiographic changes consistent with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, were observed. Treatment included intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, changing intravenous administration of fluids from lactated Ringer's solution to 0.9% NaCl solution, and administration of calcium gluconate, glycopyrrolate, dopamine, and sodium bicarbonate. Clinical signs resolved with the return of serum potassium concentrations to the reference range. The horse was confirmed to be heterozygous for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis by DNA testing.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8675475/