Abstract

BackgroundHypotension is one of the most common complications observed during inhalation anaesthesia in veterinary patients. Treatment of hypotension in cattle is more challenging than in other species, owing to the limited number of drugs licensed in food producing animals. The use of adrenaline as an infusion to support blood pressure has not been described previously in bovines.Case presentationA cow and a calf presented to University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital for bilateral mandibular fracture repair and bladder rupture repair respectively, developed severe anaesthetic related hypotension unresponsive to conventional treatments. In both cases an adrenaline infusion was started and slowly increased to effect, with infusion rates ranging from 0.01 to 0.25 μg/kg/min. Blood pressure increased as the adrenaline infusion rate increased, but clinically significant improvements in blood pressure were only observed with infusion rates exceeding 0.05 μg/kg/min. The side effect observed with adrenaline infusion was an increase in plasma lactate levels in both cases. Both animals were euthanised due to non-anaesthetic related complications.ConclusionsMaintenance of normotension is important during bovine anaesthesia to prevent the development of post-anaesthetic complications. In the cases described here, adrenaline was effective as an additional treatment of anaesthetic related hypotension. Further research is required to establish the recommended infusion rates, cardiovascular effects and possible side effects of adrenaline infusion administration as a treatment for hypotension in bovines.

Highlights

  • Hypotension is one of the most common complications observed during inhalation anaesthesia in veterinary patients

  • Despite the extensive evidence supporting the definition of hypotension in horses, there is no clear definition of hypotension in bovines

  • À minÞ 20 kg 1⁄4 ð0:19‐0:45Þð9:5ÞBovine dose 1⁄4 0:02‐0:04μg=kg= min Discussion This is the first case report that describes the administration of an adrenaline infusion as part of hypotension treatment in a cow and a calf during general anaesthesia

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Summary

Conclusions

Maintenance of normotension is important during bovine anaesthesia to prevent the development of postanaesthetic complications. In the cases described here, adrenaline was effective as an additional treatment of anaesthetic related hypotension. Further research is required to establish the recommended infusion rates, cardiovascular effects and possible side effects of adrenaline infusion administration as a treatment for hypotension in bovines

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