Atipamezole in the management of detomidine overdose in a pony.
METHODS
A pony undergoing elective castration accidentally received an overdose of IV detomidine (200 microg kg(-1)) before anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam. A further 100 microg kg(-1) IV dose of detomidine was administered during anaesthesia. The mistake was recognized only when the animal failed to recover from anaesthesia in the expected time. The overdose (300 microg kg(-1) in total) was treated successfully with atipamezole, initially given IV and subsequently IM and titrated to effect to a total dose of 1100 microg kg(-1). The pony regained the standing position. A further injection of atipamezole (76 microg kg(-1) IM) was given 5 hours later to counteract slight signs of re-sedation.


CONCLUSIONS
Atipamezole proved an effective antagonist for detomidine in a pony at an initial dose 3.65 x and a final total dose 3.9 x greater than the alpha2 agonist.
Di Concetto
Stefano
S
The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
Michael Archer
R
R
Sigurdsson
Sigurdur F
SF
Clarke
Kw
K
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006736:Horses; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007093:Imidazoles; C050701:atipamezole; C041255:detomidine