title: Acute toxicosis in two dogs associated with etomidate-propylene glycol infusion.
abstract: Etomidate, formulated in propylene glycol, was used as the primary anesthetic agent in two dogs (No. 1 and 2) and etomidate, formulated in saline, was used as the primary anesthetic agent in an additional 20 dogs, while developing a canine model for baroreceptor sensitivity testing. Dogs 1 and 2 had signs of acute toxicosis after infusion of etomidate in propylene glycol. Dog 1 received less total etomidate than did dog 2, 5.9 mg/kg vs 15.8 mg/kg, respectively. Average infusion rates were 4.7 and 9 mg/kg/h, respectively. Dog 1 developed clinical signs of mild hemoglobinuria, whereas dog 2 recovered from anesthesia slowly, was obtunded, bradycardic, and hypothermic, with marked hemoglobinuria and intravascular hemolysis. After supportive treatment, dog 2 regained consciousness and hemodynamic variables improved within 12 h. None of the additional 20 dogs that received infusion of etomidate in saline had any clinical adverse effects, suggesting a causal relationship between the etomidate-propylene glycol formulation and the adverse effects in dogs 1 and 2. Although etomidate may be useful in designing cardiovascular models under general anesthesia, such complications may warrant use of a different etomidate formulation in the dog when the agent is administered at these infusion rates.
authors.affiliation: New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca 14850.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004285:Dogs; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006456:Hemoglobinuria / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011409:Propylene Glycols; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D005045:Etomidate