Laboratory animal science
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Laboratory animal science · Dec 1994
Acute toxicosis in two dogs associated with etomidate-propylene glycol infusion.
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. ⋯ 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.