Urticaria in the horse after anaesthesia

Authors: Klein L
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 31, Issue 11, pp 206, Nov 1983
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Allergy, Anaesthesia/analgesia/sedation, Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Surgery
Article class: Correspondence

---

Abstract: I read with interest the case report, “An unusual reaction in a horse during anesthesia” by I.L. Anderson, N.Z. vet. J. 31:8.5 (1983) describing the development of generalized urticaria in a horse after induction of anesthesia with guaiphenesin and thiopentone. Over the past eight years, we have had at least three similar cases in our hospital. In two of these, premeditation was with xylazine; the third may have been given acetylpromazine or a combination of the two drugs. In our three cases, wheals began to appear immediately after induction with guiaphenesin-thiopentone, too early for halothane to be suspected. Since blood pressure, heart rate and respiration remained normal, we proceeded with the inhalant anaesthetic which was uneventful. We never had the opportunity to determine which drug had caused the reaction. In Dr. Anderson`s case, the uneventful subsequent thiopentone induction certainly suggests…

---